The Buffalo Soldiers are remembered in history for their courage on the battlefield and their dedicated service to this country. What most people don’t know about the Buffalo Soldiers is that they also had an exemplary sports program. When the soldiers weren’t training or on military assignment, their favorite form of recreation was sports. The Buffalo Soldiers fielded competitive teams in baseball, basketball and football.
Buffalo Soldiers vs. Firthmen Newspaper Box Score
The collection presented in this museum gallery by the Center for Negro League Baseball Research is from the estates of Hewitt Teabout and John Marshall, both of whom serviced our country proudly in the 10th Calvary (Buffalo Soldiers). Teabout served in West Point, New York during the 1930’s and John Marshall was stationed in Fort Huachuca, Arizona during the 1940’s.
The 10th Calvary or Buffalo Soldiers as they are better known were stationed in West Point, New York during the 1930’s. The Buffalo Soldiers baseball team or Calvary team as they were referred to in the West Point area played in the Class B Newburgh Twilight League.
This trophy game used baseball was inscribed by Hewitt Teabout after their Twilight League game with the Firthmen. This ball was one that was actually used during the game. The game was played on July 13, 1938 at Recreation Park. The Calvary team won the game with a 4-0 shutout. The ball is inscribed with the date, game highlights, starting team and names of all the other players, coach and manager. This was an important game for the Calvary team because they beat the league leading team and moved into second place in the league.
The following players were part of the 10th Calvary – Buffalo Soldiers baseball during the 1938 season.
|
Benedict Mosley |
Manager |
Freddy Lynch |
pitcher |
|
James Brewer |
pitcher |
Johnny Proctor |
third base |
|
Butler |
centerfield |
Leon Tatum |
center field |
|
Richard Chambers |
coach |
Hewitt Teabout |
shortstop |
|
William C. Chaney |
right field |
Ray |
outfield |
|
Lee “Hooks’ Davis |
first base |
Freeman Wright |
catcher |
|
Lee Graves |
second base |
Joe Taylor |
first base |
|
Charley Greene |
right field |
Lewis |
shortstop |
|
Joseph Graham |
left Field |
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Francis Griffin |
centerfield |
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Boola Johnson |
centerfield |
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