Spottswood Poles (December 27, 1887 – September 12, 1962) was an American outfielder in baseball's Negro leagues. One of the fastest players of his era, Poles was sometimes referred to as "the black Ty Cobb."
According to Negro leagues historian James Riley, Poles' speed was said to be comparable to that of Cool Papa Bell, a Negro league star of the 1930s generally considered to be the fastest man in the history of organized baseball. Poles was a left-handed batter with a keen eye who hit for a high batting average.[4]
Poles in 1912
Poles started playing organized Negro ball for the Harrisburg Giants in 1906 and first became a professional for Sol White's Philadelphia Giants in 1909. Poles soon followed White to the New York Lincoln Giants in 1911, where he blossomed into a star; in his first four seasons with the Lincoln Giants, 1911–1914, Poles attained batting averages of .440, .398, .414, and .487 against all levels of competition.
Following his playing career, Poles was hired multiple times to coach the Harrisburg Giants, once in 1928 and again in 1953.[8]
Poles is credited with a lifetime batting average of over .400 in all competitions and hit .319 in four winters in Cuba. A tantalizing aspect of his career is his success against white major league teams; Poles hit .610 against these teams, including three consecutive hits against Hall of FamerGrover Cleveland Alexander.
spot, poles, spottswood, poles, december, 1887, september, 1962, american, outfielder, baseball, negro, leagues, fastest, players, poles, sometimes, referred, black, cobb, poles, 1913outfielderborn, 1887, december, 1887winchester, virginia, usdied, september, . Spottswood Poles December 27 1887 September 12 1962 was an American outfielder in baseball s Negro leagues One of the fastest players of his era Poles was sometimes referred to as the black Ty Cobb Spot PolesPoles in 1913OutfielderBorn 1887 12 27 December 27 1887Winchester Virginia USDied September 12 1962 1962 09 12 aged 74 Harrisburg Pennsylvania USBatted BothThrew Rightdebut1909 for the Philadelphia GiantsLast appearance1923 for the New York Lincoln GiantsTeamsPhiladelphia Giants 1909 1910 Club Fe 1910 1915 New York Lincoln Giants 1911 1914 1916 1917 1920 1923 1 New York Lincoln Stars 1914 1915 Breakers Hotel 1915 1916 2 Hilldale Club 1917 1919 Philadelphia All Stars 1917 Atlantic City Bacharach Giants 1919 3 Career editAccording to Negro leagues historian James Riley Poles speed was said to be comparable to that of Cool Papa Bell a Negro league star of the 1930s generally considered to be the fastest man in the history of organized baseball Poles was a left handed batter with a keen eye who hit for a high batting average 4 nbsp Poles in 1912Poles started playing organized Negro ball for the Harrisburg Giants in 1906 and first became a professional for Sol White s Philadelphia Giants in 1909 Poles soon followed White to the New York Lincoln Giants in 1911 where he blossomed into a star in his first four seasons with the Lincoln Giants 1911 1914 Poles attained batting averages of 440 398 414 and 487 against all levels of competition Poles then spent the next few seasons jumping among the New York Lincoln Stars Brooklyn Royal Giants and Hilldale Daisies While with the Daisies Poles joined the 369th Infantry Regiment Harlem Hellfighters a unit attached to the French Army during World War I earning decorations five battle stars and a Purple Heart for his combat experience in France as a sergeant 5 6 He returned home and continued a successful baseball career playing for the Lincoln Giants from 1919 to 1923 7 Following his playing career Poles was hired multiple times to coach the Harrisburg Giants once in 1928 and again in 1953 8 Poles is credited with a lifetime batting average of over 400 in all competitions and hit 319 in four winters in Cuba A tantalizing aspect of his career is his success against white major league teams Poles hit 610 against these teams including three consecutive hits against Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander After retiring from baseball Poles first worked as a taxi cab operator and then found employment at Olmsted Air Force Base in Middletown Pennsylvania which enabled him to retire and live comfortably until his death at the age of 74 Because of his Army service he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery 9 10 11 References edit Lincoln Giants Adds Another Brace of Victories to its Brace Indianapolis Freeman Indianapolis Indiana Saturday May 20 1916 Page 4 Column 4 Palm Beach Weekly Review Indianapolis Freeman Indianapolis Indiana Saturday February 19 1916 Page 5 Columns 5 to 7 Empey Has Fine Bill New York Sun New York NY Page 4 Column 2 The little known legend of Spottswood Poles MLB com Retrieved 2023 06 07 nlbpa com Poles Spottswood www nlbpa com Retrieved 2020 08 20 Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum Personal Profiles Spot Poles www nlbemuseum com Retrieved 2020 08 20 Riley p 631 632 Early Pioneers of the Negro Leagues Colonel William C W Strothers PDF www cnlbr org Retrieved 2021 10 13 Riley pp 631 632 The biographical encyclopedia of the Negro baseball leagues 1994 11 01 Burial detail Poles Spottswood ANC Explorer Retrieved June 7 2023 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spot Poles Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference and Baseball Reference Black Baseball stats and Seamheads Baseball Hall of Fame candidate biography at the Wayback Machine archived February 7 2006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Spot Poles amp oldid 1159069687, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
