Post by blackcrowheart on Feb 2, 2006 8:57:55 GMT -5
Indian deserves his recognition
Sockalexis played in Cleveland, was first true Indian in baseball
Associated PressORONO, MAINE -
www.dfw.com/mld/ohio/sports/13753517.htm?
source=rss&channel=ohio_sports
Louis Sockalexis, the Penobscot Indian who played for the Indians,
again should be considered the first American Indian to play in the
major leagues, the author of a book about Sockalexis said.
In 1963, a National Baseball Hall of Fame historian pronounced a
Sioux Indian named James Madison Toy as the first.
But author Ed Rice says that he has obtained Toy's death certificate
in Pennsylvania, and it lists his race as ``white.''
``It's time for a sorrowful 43-year-old hoax to come to an end.
Locally, regionally and nationally, it is time to restore the title
`First American Indian' to the man who earned it -- Louis
Sockalexis,'' Rice said.
Rice is the author of Baseball's First Indian: Louis Sockalexis:
Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian, and has long claimed that
Sockalexis was the first Indian to play in the major leagues.
Sockalexis, who grew up on Maine's Indian Island, was a gifted
athlete whose exploits at Holy Cross and Notre Dame propelled him to
the majors in 1897.
He ended up playing only 94 major league games, batting .313 for the
Cleveland Spiders before his career was cut short from alcoholism.
Still, it's believed he was the inspiration for the Spiders to change
their name to the Indians.
Toy played two seasons between 1887 and 1890.
Rice, who released his findings at the University of Maine's Alfond
Arena, said the late Hall of Fame historian Lee Allen proclaimed in
1963 that Toy was the first player in the majors with an Indian
background.
Rice said Allen's evidence was based on a relative's statement that
Toy was of Sioux heritage and that no other evidence supports the
claim.
The death certificate, which Rice received on Jan. 16, lists James
Madison Toy as ``white'' under the category ``color of race.''
Rice said he wants the Hall of Fame to recognize Sockalexis for his
achievements the way it recognizes the achievements of black,
Hispanic and women players. Sockalexis was the target of racial
epithets and taunting when he played, much the way Jackie Robinson
was treated 50 years later as the first black major leaguer, Rice
said.
Brad Horn, spokesman for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., said
the Hall would look at the death certificate once Rice sends it. It's
unlikely the Hall of Fame would make any proclamation about
Sockalexis, but his picture and information might be displayed if
warranted, he said.
Sockalexis played in Cleveland, was first true Indian in baseball
Associated PressORONO, MAINE -
www.dfw.com/mld/ohio/sports/13753517.htm?
source=rss&channel=ohio_sports
Louis Sockalexis, the Penobscot Indian who played for the Indians,
again should be considered the first American Indian to play in the
major leagues, the author of a book about Sockalexis said.
In 1963, a National Baseball Hall of Fame historian pronounced a
Sioux Indian named James Madison Toy as the first.
But author Ed Rice says that he has obtained Toy's death certificate
in Pennsylvania, and it lists his race as ``white.''
``It's time for a sorrowful 43-year-old hoax to come to an end.
Locally, regionally and nationally, it is time to restore the title
`First American Indian' to the man who earned it -- Louis
Sockalexis,'' Rice said.
Rice is the author of Baseball's First Indian: Louis Sockalexis:
Penobscot Legend, Cleveland Indian, and has long claimed that
Sockalexis was the first Indian to play in the major leagues.
Sockalexis, who grew up on Maine's Indian Island, was a gifted
athlete whose exploits at Holy Cross and Notre Dame propelled him to
the majors in 1897.
He ended up playing only 94 major league games, batting .313 for the
Cleveland Spiders before his career was cut short from alcoholism.
Still, it's believed he was the inspiration for the Spiders to change
their name to the Indians.
Toy played two seasons between 1887 and 1890.
Rice, who released his findings at the University of Maine's Alfond
Arena, said the late Hall of Fame historian Lee Allen proclaimed in
1963 that Toy was the first player in the majors with an Indian
background.
Rice said Allen's evidence was based on a relative's statement that
Toy was of Sioux heritage and that no other evidence supports the
claim.
The death certificate, which Rice received on Jan. 16, lists James
Madison Toy as ``white'' under the category ``color of race.''
Rice said he wants the Hall of Fame to recognize Sockalexis for his
achievements the way it recognizes the achievements of black,
Hispanic and women players. Sockalexis was the target of racial
epithets and taunting when he played, much the way Jackie Robinson
was treated 50 years later as the first black major leaguer, Rice
said.
Brad Horn, spokesman for the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., said
the Hall would look at the death certificate once Rice sends it. It's
unlikely the Hall of Fame would make any proclamation about
Sockalexis, but his picture and information might be displayed if
warranted, he said.