This program is from the Negro American League’s International Tour. This barnstorming tour featured four-team doubleheaders in several cities around the United States. The center section of the program includes a scorecard for all four teams.

The purpose of the tour was to showcase the young talent in the Negro Leagues. The Negro League owners recognized that they were fighting a losing battle for talent with the “white” Major League organizations. In 1952, ninety-eight percent of the black ball players with “white” Major and Minor Leagues teams started out in the Negro Leagues.

Negro American League Tour - Player Photos

The young Negro League players highlighted during these games were:

Chicago American Giants  -      Bill “Fire Ball” Beverly            Lawrence Raines

                                          Vann Durham                      Johnny Williams

                                          Jackson Owens                   Danny Wright

                                          Clyde Golden                                                     

Indianapolis Clowns           -    Jimmy “Chip” Wilkes             James Tugerson

                                          Henry “Speed” Merchant

Philadelphia Stars               -   Menny Cartledge                 Willie Parker

                                           Donald Whittington              Pat Patterson

                                           Ted Washington                  Harry Sims

                                           Carl Dent                                        

Kansas City Monarchs      -       Tom Cooper                       George Walker

                                            Richard “Dick” Phillips          Stonewall Jackson 

                                            Duke Henderson

These young ball players were under the guidance of Negro League veterans John “Buck” O’Neil (Kansas City Monarchs), Oscar Charleston (Philadelphia Stars), Buster Haywood (Indianapolis Clowns) and Paul Hardy (Chicago American Giants).

George Smith and Lawrence Raines were the only two ball players from this tour to make it all the way to the Major Leagues. George Smith played with the Detroit Tigers in the American League and Lawrence Raines played for the Cleveland Indians of the American League.

The tour also featured the comedy of Indianapolis Clowns entertainers King Tut and Spec Bebop.

Negro American League Tour - Scorecard