Cooperstown Connections Bios

Luke Appling was manager of the Athletics in their final year in Kansas City. He had been such a favorite in his playing days with the White Sox that Chicago fans once voted him the club’s greatest player ever. Known for his uncanny ability to intentionally foul off pitches, the seven-time All-Star was a magician with the bat who won two American League batting titles.

Ernie Banks was signed by ‘Cool Papa’ Bell to play for the Kansas City Monarchs. Later his Monarchs manager, Buck O’Neil, paved the way for his signing as the first black player with the Chicago Cubs. The 11-time All-Star became a Windy City icon for his great play and sunny disposition. Banks was a two-time National League MVP and is a member of baseball’s elite 500 Home Run Club (512).

Born in Hannibal, Missouri, Jake Beckley finished his professional baseball career with the Kansas City Blues as a player and briefly as manager. Beckley made a career with his bat amassing 2,930 hits and a lifetime batting average of .309. He was also a superb defender holding the record for most putouts by a first baseman with 23,696.

The legendary ‘Cool Papa’ Bell played for the Monarchs among many Negro League teams. Tales of his speed were folklore based in fact – he was once clocked circling the bases in an amazing 12 seconds. Signed as a pitcher, his speed made him too valuable as an everyday player. Bell is also credited with mentoring stars such as Jackie Robinson, Elston Howard, and Ernie Banks.

Promoted to the Kansas City Blues in 1944 by the New York Yankees, Yogi Berra instead reported for service in the United States Navy. After World War II, he made his major league debut with the Yankees in 1946. As a key member of 14 pennant winners and 10 World Champions, Berra was an All-Star every season from 1948-62 and was a three-time American League MVP.

Lou Boudreau managed the Kansas City Athletics when they debuted in 1955. As a player, Boudreau was an eight-time All-Star, four-time .300 hitter, and the 1948 American League MVP. He also won a batting title with Cleveland as player/manager in 1944. Boudreau was an innovative baseball mind devising the ‘Ted Williams’ shift to thwart the legend’s hitting tendencies and transformed Bob Lemon from infielder to Hall of Fame pitcher.

George Brett played his entire career with the Kansas City Royals. Known for getting clutch hits in big games, he was the first player to ever collect 3,000 hits, 300 home runs, 600 doubles, 100 triples, 1,500 RBIs and 200 stolen bases. Also the first with batting titles in three different decades, Brett was a 13 time All-Star, won a Gold Glove and was named 1980 American League MVP.

Willard ‘Home Run’ Brown played for six Kansas City Monarch pennant winners between 1937-46. He won seven Negro American League home run titles and three batting crowns. Brown signed with the St. Louis Browns in 1947, but soon returned to the Monarchs. He played in eight East-West All-Star Games and was a Puerto Rico Winter League legend where he was dubbed ‘Ese Hombre’ (The Man).

Orlando Cepeda finished his career with a brief stint as a member of the Kansas City Royals. Cepeda burst onto the scene with the Giants in 1958 when he was the unanimous National League Rookie of the Year. He would later be a unanimous National League MVP with the Cardinals in 1967. Cepeda was a seven time All-Star and the first Puerto Rican to make an All-Star start.

Andy Cooper was already a star when J.L. Wilkinson traded five players to bring him to Kansas City in 1928. He often started three of five games in a series, closing the other two if needed. Cooper’s greatest game was a seventeen-inning playoff performance against Chicago at age 39. He pitched the Monarchs to the 1929 pennant and won three titles as player/manager between 1937-40.

Joe Cronin played for the Kansas City Blues in 1928 after his major league debut with the 1926 Pittsburgh Pirates. Cronin was later purchased by the Washington Senators for $7,500 and became one of the game’s top shortstops. The seven-time All-Star was the 1930 American League MVP after hitting .346 with 126 RBI. He was American League President and oversaw the 1969 expansion that included the Kansas City Royals.

Whitey Ford pitched for the 1950 Kansas City Blues on his way to stardom in New York. The Yankee lefthander’s coolness earned him the nickname ‘Chairman of the Board.’ His career record of 236-106 was the best winning percentage (.690) of the 20th century. Ford set World Series records for wins (10), strikeouts (94) and once tossed 33 consecutive scoreless innings in World Series play.

Willie Foster started 1931 with the famed Homestead Grays before joining the Kansas City Monarchs. The half-brother of Negro National League founder Rube Foster made his mark as one of the best left-handers in the circuit’s 12-year existence. Foster had an assortment of pitches making him a manager’s dream and a hitter’s nightmare. He was the leading vote-getter and winning pitcher in the inaugural East-West All-Star Game in 1933.

Bud Fowler was a trail blazing baseball pioneer. He was one of the few black players allowed to play on white teams in the late 19th century. Often the best player on his teams, Fowler played professionally with several minor league clubs but jealously and racism caused him to often be forced to move from team to team. In 1894, he formed the Paige Fence Giants with Grant “Home Run” Johnson, and they became one the most formidable black barnstorming teams in history. Fowler helped established other barnstorming teams like the Smoky City Giants, All-American Black Tourists, and the 1904 Kansas City Stars.

Joe Gordon was the only manager to lead the Kansas City Athletics and the Royals. He had been one of the best second basemen of his era. Gordon belted 25 home runs as a rookie and was a model of consistency in his 11-year career hitting 20+ home runs seven times with at least 100 RBI in four seasons. The nine-time All-Star was the 1942 American League MVP.

Burleigh Grimes was a scout with the Yankees when he filled in as Kansas City Blues Manager in 1946. Grimes was a spitballer when the pitch was banned in 1920. He was one of 17 such pitchers ‘grandfathered in’ under the new rule. Allowed to continue throwing his spitter, Grimes posted five 20-win season and 270 career victories. He threw baseball’s last legal spitball in 1934.

Jesse Haines brought his durable right-arm, toughness and 21 wins to the 1919 Kansas City Blues, after a one-game major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds a year earlier. Haines was then sold to the Cardinals where he became a staff ace on five St. Louis pennant winners from 1926-34. In 1926 he posted two victories over the Yankees helping lead the Cardinals to their first World Series Championship.

‘Sliding Billy’ Hamilton began his major league career with the Kansas City Cowboys of the American Association. Hamilton posted a .300+ batting average in twelve straight seasons finishing with a career mark of .344. He held the National League single season (115) and career (937) stolen base records for nearly 80 years. Once stole a big league record seven bases in one game.

Gabby Hartnett ended his career as a coach and scout for the Kansas City Athletics. Considered one of the best catchers of the 20th century, Hartnett caught 100 or more games twelve times and won 1935 National League MVP honors at age 34. As a player/manager in 1938, his near-darkness home run against Pittsburgh – known as the ‘Homer in the Gloamin' – helped win the pennant for the Cubs.

Whitey Herzog holds the distinction of wearing three Kansas City uniforms –Blues, Athletics and Royals. Herzog briefly managed the Rangers and Angels before achieving success in Kansas City. He led the Royals to three Western Division titles from 1976-78. With St. Louis, he won three National League Pennants and the 1982 World Series. Herzog was Manager of the Year when his Cardinals battled the Royals in the 1985 World Series.

Carl Hubbell toiled in obscurity in Oklahoma, Texas and a brief two game stint with the Kansas City Blues before being purchased by the New York Giants. His screwball made him a mainstay averaging 23 wins over the next five years while leading New York to three pennants. He famously struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe Cronin in succession at the 1934 All-Star Game.

Catfish Hunter made his major league debut with the Kansas City Athletics less than a month after his 19th birthday. Owner Charlie Finley dubbed him ‘Catfish’ for no other reason than thinking the youngster needed a flashy nickname. After the move to Oakland, Hunter pitched a perfect game in 1968, won 21 plus games five times in a row and claimed the American League Cy Young Award in 1974.

Reggie Jackson made his debut with the Athletics in their final year in Kansas City. The second overall draft pick in 1966 quickly made his way through the minors and became a star in Oakland where he won 1973 American League MVP honors. The six-time All-Star and member of baseball’s 500 home run club earned the nickname ‘Mr. October’ for his World Series heroics with the New York Yankees.

Harmon Killebrew brought his powerful bat to the Kansas City Royals in his final big league season. The soft-spoken Killebrew was known for booming ‘tape measure’ home runs throughout his career. He led the American League in home runs six times and hit 40 or more on eight occasions. Killebrew finished his career with 573 home runs trailing only Babe Ruth for most in American League history.

Tony La Russa spent a lifetime in major league baseball, but it all started when he signed with the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1962. He made his MLB debut at age 18 on May 10, 1963, at Municipal Stadium. His playing career ended in 1977 when he simultaneously went to law school and started managing in the minor leagues. In 1979, La Russa passed the Florida bar, then on August 6 of that year he became manager of the Chicago White Sox at age 35. La Russa would manage 35 big league seasons, winning six league pennants and three World Series championships.

Tommy Lasorda’s brief major league playing career concluded with the Kansas City Athletics. Once his playing days finished, he returned to the Dodgers organization where he started and made his way back to the big leagues as a manager. Lasorda replaced Hall of Fame Dodger Manager Walter Alston in 1976 and over the next twenty-one seasons led Los Angeles to eight division titles and two World Championships.

Bob Lemon was the Kansas City Royals’ third manager in just their second season. As a player, Lemon was a unique story; eight years into his career he switched from position player to pitcher. On the mound, Lemon became an ace with seven 20-win seasons over the next nine years. He was a force for Cleveland’s 1948 World Champion and 1954 American League pennant winning teams.

John Lloyd was such a good hitter that teams sought his bat whenever they could, including the 1921 Kansas City Monarchs. His extraordinary line-drive hitting skills from the shortstop position drew comparisons to Honus Wagner. His great range and steady hands led Cuban fans to dub him El Cuchara (The Shovel). The ‘Pop’ nickname came from the young players he mentored late in his career as a player-manager.

Larry MacPhail co-owned the New York Yankees and therefore the Kansas City Blues in 1945-47. One of the game's great innovators, he introduced night baseball to the major leagues at Cincinnati's Crosley Field in 1935, originated plane travel for teams, fought for regular game broadcasts and initiated pension plans. He and his son (Lee) formed the first father/son Hall of Fame tandem.

Lee MacPhail’s career began as General Manager of the Kansas City Blues in 1946. MacPhail later oversaw the Yankees farm system during their 1950s dynasty. He also served as Baltimore GM, laying the groundwork for their early 1970s championships. As American League President he ruled for the Royals during the infamous Pine Tar Game of 1983. He and his father (Larry) formed the first father/son Hall of Fame tandem.

Mickey Mantle played with the 1951 Kansas City Blues after an early slump with the Yankees. The 19-year-old considered quitting baseball while in Kansas City before a stern talk from his father. Mantle returned to New York and became one of the all-time greats. The three-time MVP (’56, ’57, ’62) won the Triple Crown in 1956 and set an World Series record with 18 career home runs.

Joe ‘Iron Man’ McGinnity played for the 1894 Kansas City Blues in one of baseball longest careers. McGinnity earned his nickname working at an iron foundry in the offseason and it was a perfect fit. Famous for starting both ends of a doubleheader five times in his career, he ‘retired’ in 1908 at age 37 – but continued to pitch in the minors until he was 54.

Known as ‘Black Diamond,’ Jose Mendez finished his career as player/manager for the Kansas City Monarchs – leading them to three consecutive Negro National League pennants (1923-25). Discovered while pitching for the 1908 Cuban Stars, he threw 25 consecutive scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds and his reputation quickly spread. The first internationally known Cuban star, Mendez often played winter ball at home and summer ball in the United States.

Johnny Mize played for the 1950 Kansas City Blues while recovering from an injury, then return as a coach with the Athletics in 1961. A true power hitter, Mize led the National League in homers four times including a major league record 51 home runs with only 42 strikeouts in 1947. Mize also set a then record with six career three home run games.

‘Kid Nichols’ began his career at age 17 with the Kansas City Blues of the Western League. Nichols won 27 games as a big-league rookie with the Boston Beaneaters. He won 20+ games for ten consecutive seasons including a record seven years with 30 wins or more. The youngest pitcher to ever reach the 300-win mark (32), he completed a remarkable 531 of his 561 starts.

Buck O’Neil started his Negro Leagues career with the Memphis Red Sox, but his time in Kansas City as a player, manager, scout, and historian of the Negro Leagues made him a legend. He played 1st base with the Monarchs beginning in 1938, then was named player-manager in 1948. He joined the Chicago Cubs as a Scout in 1955. He made history with the 1962 Cubs when he became the first black coach in Major League Baseball. Buck returned home in 1988 and finished his scouting career with the Royals. His legacy lives in so many was in Kansas City, most visibly as one of the founders of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum which helped revitalize the historic 18th and Vine District.

Though he pitched for many teams, the colorful Satchel Paige is remembered as a Kansas City Monarch. Mixing a fastball with special creations like his Bat Dodger and Hesitation Pitch he became baseball’s biggest attraction. In 1948 at age 42, Paige debuted as the oldest rookie ever helping lead Cleveland to a pennant. He returned for one final start with the Kansas City Athletics in 1965 at age 59.

Gaylord Perry played for many teams in his career including a final stop with the Kansas City Royals. Perry was known for his array of mound rituals that distracted batters for two decades. He also reached nearly every magical pitching milestone with 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, five 20-win seasons and a no-hitter. He was also the first pitcher to win Cy Young Awards in both leagues.

Phil Rizzuto was the Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year with the 1940 Kansas City Blues on his way to stardom with the Yankees. The five-time All-Star was a deft defender, skilled bunter and earned his nickname with his enthusiastic base running. Rizzuto won the 1950 American League MVP Award and seven World Series titles in his 13 seasons in New York.

Jackie Robinson played for the 1945 Kansas City Monarchs before his historic signing by Dodgers GM Branch Rickey. His calm dignity made him the perfect man to break baseball’s color barrier and his skill helped Brooklyn win six pennants in his ten seasons. Robinson was National League MVP in 1949 and his electrifying style of play made him one of the most memorable players of his or any era.

‘Bullet’ Joe Rogan joined the Kansas City Monarchs at age 30 after playing a decade for US Army teams. He was a cornerstone to the Monarchs success over the next 18 years. Rogan had a unique no-windup delivery and an arsenal of pitches including forkballs, palmballs, spitballs and curves. When not on the mound he often played outfield and led the Negro National League with 16 home runs in 1922.

The New York Yankees were considered a second tier ballclub when Jacob Ruppert bought the franchise for $450,000 in 1915. His Yankees acquired Babe Ruth in 1920, won their first American League Pennant in 1921, then in 1923 their first of seven World Series titles during his ownership tenure through the 1938 season. Ruppert purchased the Kansas City Blues in 1937 and made them one of the Yankees’ top minor league affiliates. From 1937-1943, the Blues home ballpark at 22nd & Brooklyn - originally named Muehlebach Field - was known as Ruppert Stadium.

John Schuerholz began his career in Baltimore as an assistant to Lou Gorman, the Orioles Director of Player Development, in 1966. When Gorman joined the expansion Kansas City franchise in 1968, he brought Schuerholz with him. Schuerholz started as an Administrative Assistant and earned his way into more responsibility in scouting and player development throughout the 1970s during the Royals rise into champions. When Joe Burke was elevated to Club President in October of 1981, Schuerholz was named the third General Manager in Royals history. During his tenure, the Royals delivered their first World Series Championship for Kansas City in 1985.

Enos Slaughter was a household name when he came to the Athletics during their initial year in Kansas City. Nicknamed ‘Country’, he had a reputation for all-out hustle immortalized in his famous ‘mad dash’ from first to home on Harry Walker’s single to score the winning run in Game 7 of the 1946 World Series. Slaughter hit .300 or better 10 times and was a ten-time National League All-Star.

Hilton Smith was a standout on seven Kansas City Monarch pennant-winners. Pitching in the shadow of Satchel Paige, Smith blossomed into one of the most talented Negro Leagues performers earning six consecutive East-West All-Star nods from 1937-42. Under the tutelage of ‘Bullet Joe’ Rogan and Andy Cooper he won 20 plus games in each of his twelve years with the Monarchs.

Tris Speaker finished his managerial career with the 1933 Kansas City Blues. He had earlier rivaled Ty Cobb as the greatest player of his era compiling a lifetime batting average of .345 and leading the league in doubles eight times. Speaker set major league records for career doubles (793) and outfield assists (450). He also guided Cleveland to the 1920 World Championship as player-manager.

‘Turkey’ Stearns was a force wherever he played including stints with the Kansas City Monarchs. He was nicknamed for his head bobbing, arms flapping running style. From his unusual stance, front heel down with toe up, Stearns led the league in homers six times. He won a Quadruple Crown in 1932 - doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases – a feat never accomplished in the major leagues.

Casey Stengel was born in Kansas City, played for, and returned to manage the Blues before making his most lasting mark on the game. Though he played for fourteen years, he became a legend as manager. Stengel’s feat of guiding the Yankees to ten pennants and seven World Series titles in 12 years ranks as one of the most remarkable managerial accomplishments of all time.

One of the all-time Cuban greats, Cristobal Torriente played with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1926. He led the Chicago American Giants to three Negro National League titles (1920 -22) playing in one of the greatest defensive outfields in history with Jelly Gardner and Dave Malarcher. A noted bad ball hitter, Torriente won acclaim when he outperformed Babe Ruth during a barnstorming tour of Cuba in 1920.

Willie Wells was one of the finest Negro Leagues shortstops including stops with the Kansas City Monarchs. As a student of the game, he combined an analytical approach with good range, sure hands, and an accurate arm. Wells could also hit – winning batting titles in 1929 and 1930. After once taking a ball off his temple, he became one of the first players to ever wear a batting helmet.

Hoyt Wilhelm was selected in the expansion draft by the Kansas City Royals and traded before their 1969 opener. He didn’t make his major league debut until age 28, but still became the first pitcher to ever appear in 1,000 games. He set the record for wins by a reliever with 124. One of the first great relievers, the knuckleballer also threw a no-hitter in a rare 1958 start.

Baseball innovator J.L. Wilkinson founded the Kansas City Monarchs after establishing one of the first all-girls teams and the multi-ethnic All-Nations squad. He is credited with developing the first successful lighting system for night games, which traveled with the Monarchs during barnstorming trips. Wilkinson’s Monarchs won an unprecedented 17 pennants along with two World Series titles and supplied more players to the major leagues than any other black ballclub.

Dick Williams was a journeyman player for five teams including the Kansas City Athletics. His managerial career included more teams, but with much more success. His first was the 1967 ‘Impossible Dream’ Red Sox who captured the American League pennant. Williams would win two World Series with Oakland and became the second manager to win pennants with three teams leading San Diego to the 1984 National League crown.