Candy Jim Taylor
Encyclopedia
James Allen "Candy Jim" Taylor (February 1, 1884April 3, 1948) was an American
third baseman
and manager
in Negro league baseball
.
, Taylor was one of four brothers who played in the Negro Leagues, along with Ben
, C. I.
and "Steel Arm" Johnny. He made his professional debut at the age of 19 and spent his entire adult life in the game of baseball, playing primarily at third base. In 1916, he helped the Indianapolis ABC's to win the Black World Championship.
A disciplinarian and a master strategist, as manager Taylor led the St. Louis Stars
to their first championship in 1928
. The Great Depression
took its toll on the economics of the game, and while managing the 1933
Richmond All-Stars, Taylor was forced to sell the team bus, and later had to send the players home.
In 1943
Taylor managed the Homestead Grays
to their first Negro League World Series
title, repeating their success again the following year.
Candy Jim Taylor died at age 64 in Chicago, Illinois and was interred in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in Negro league baseball
Negro league baseball
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
.
Biography
Born in Anderson, South CarolinaAnderson, South Carolina
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was estimated at 26,242 in 2006, and the city was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530...
, Taylor was one of four brothers who played in the Negro Leagues, along with Ben
Ben Taylor (Negro Leagues)
Benjamin Harrison Taylor was an American first baseman and manager in baseball's Negro leagues. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006....
, C. I.
C. I. Taylor
Charles Isham Taylor was an American second baseman, manager and executive in Negro league baseball. Born in Anderson, South Carolina, he was the oldest among four sons of a Methodist minister - including Candy Jim, Ben and Johnny - who made a remarkable impact on black baseball.After serving in...
and "Steel Arm" Johnny. He made his professional debut at the age of 19 and spent his entire adult life in the game of baseball, playing primarily at third base. In 1916, he helped the Indianapolis ABC's to win the Black World Championship.
A disciplinarian and a master strategist, as manager Taylor led the St. Louis Stars
St. Louis Stars (baseball)
The St. Louis Stars were a Negro League baseball team that competed in the Negro National League from 1922 to 1931. Founded when Dick Kent and Dr. Sam Sheppard took over the St...
to their first championship in 1928
1928 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Yankees over St Louis Cardinals -Awards and honors:*League Award** Mickey Cochrane, Philadelphia Athletics, C** Jim Bottomley, St. Louis Cardinals, 1B-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:...
. The Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
took its toll on the economics of the game, and while managing the 1933
1933 in baseball
-Headline Events of the Year:* First Major League Baseball All-Star Game, July 6 at Comiskey Park: American League, 4-2.* First Negro League Baseball All-Star Game.-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Giants over Washington Senators...
Richmond All-Stars, Taylor was forced to sell the team bus, and later had to send the players home.
In 1943
1943 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over St. Louis Cardinals *All-Star Game, July 13 at Shibe Park: American League, 5-3-Other champions:*Negro League World Series: Homestead Grays over Birmingham Black Barons...
Taylor managed the Homestead Grays
Homestead Grays
The Homestead Grays were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro leagues in the United States. The team was formed in 1912 by Cumberland Posey, and would remain in continuous operation for 38 seasons. The team was based in Homestead, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Pittsburgh.-Franchise...
to their first Negro League World Series
Negro League World Series
The Negro League World Series was a post-season baseball tournament which was held from 1924-1927 and from 1942-1948 between the champions of the Negro leagues, matching the mid-western winners against their east coast counterparts....
title, repeating their success again the following year.
Candy Jim Taylor died at age 64 in Chicago, Illinois and was interred in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.