Showing posts with label Clarence Williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clarence Williams. Show all posts

Monday, August 23, 2021

OTD Negro Independent Era 8/23/1899: The Cuban X Giants Defeat the Burlington, New Jersey, Local Nine

From the desk: GO TALK TO E.B. LAMAR



On Wednesday, August 23, 1899, the Cuban X Giants, in a return trip to the outskirts of Philadelphia, defeat the Burlington, New Jersey, local nine.


In the early going, neither starting pitcher allows the opposition to gain a firm footing.  Cuban X Giant starter William Seldon is opposed by Woods for Burlington.  

A see-saw affair unfolds.  After a scoreless opening frame, the teams trade a run each in the second.  The X- Giants pull ahead with a run in the fourth.  Afterwhich, both sides this time trade two runs each in the sixth.  There's a lull in the seventh, but the action picks right back up in the eighth when Burlington pushes across the game-tying run.  

But with two runs in the home half, the Giants again retake a 6-4 lead.  The ninth inning repeats the previous frame as Burlington plates one, whereas the X-Giants plate two en route to an 8-5 final margin of victory.  

This marks the Cuban X Giants' second win against Burlington this season.

Daniels, the shortstop, leads Burlington with three hits, including a double and triple, center fielder Hoover wields two hits with a double, and third baseman Carfrey scores twice.  Woods allows eight runs on twelve hits (six for extra bases) and one walk with two strikeouts in the loss.  However, a misplay by Hooper, the center fielder, contributes greatly towards Burlington's loss.

The true brains behind the Cuban X Giants, catcher Clarence Williams, leads the team with four hits, two extra bases, and three runs scored.  Third baseman Andy Jackson accounted for two doubles, while first baseman Ray Wilson and left fielder Will Jackson wielded one each.  

Featuring future Hall of Famers up the middle, shortstop Sol White posts a hit and a run scored with four assists in the field, and second baseman Frank Grant likewise posts one hit with four fielding assists and nary a misplay by either.

William Seldon helps himself at the plate with three singles.  Seldon holds Burlington to five runs on the mound on eleven hits and two walks for the win. 


The Cuban X Giants are formed by and comprised of breakaway players from the Original Cuban Giants.  They operate under a cooperative agreement.  E.B. Lamar is merely their business agent hired by Clarence Williams and the players.  Lamar's brother suggested the team adopt X in order to better distinguish themselves from their ex-team.



Tuesday, June 22, 2021

OTD 6/22/1907: The Brooklyn Royal Giants Defeat Benton at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

From the desk: DEM BARNSTORMERS

On Saturday, June 22, 1907, the Brooklyn Royal Giants defeat the Benton nine at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, roughly 165 miles away from Washington Park.

Starting for the Benton locals, Bombey yields seven runs on eleven hits.  All but Grant Johnson and left fielder John Patterson hit safely for Brooklyn.  Third baseman Bill Monroe, first baseman Bob Jordan, second baseman Gus James, and catching this game, Clarence Williams, all register two hits apiece.  Starting pitcher Bill Merritt also joins in the hit parade with two of his own and two runs scored.  Otherwise, Merritt allows five runs on ten hits in a winning effort.  Shortstop Grant Johnson registers a game-high eight assists, and first baseman Bob Jordan with a likewise game-high ten putouts.