Jimmie Crutchfield
Encyclopedia
John William Crutchfield, born May 25, 1910 in Ardmore, Missouri
, United States
– died March 31, 1993 in Chicago, Illinois, was an All-Star baseball
player in Negro League baseball
.
A right outfielder, at 5' 7" tall, and with a small frame, Jimmie Crutchfield made up for any physical shortcomings with a natural talent for the game and speed, both of which were backed up by a hard work ethic. Without power, he mastered bat handling to control the placement of the ball through a hit or a bunt that consistently provided for a good batting average.
Crutchfield began his career with the Birmingham Black Barons
in 1930 but the following year moved to the Indianapolis ABC's. When the team ran into financial difficulties, he left to play with the Pittsburgh Crawfords
, where he remained for the next five years. Teamed with Ted Strong
and Cool Papa Bell, they formed what is considered the best outfield in the Negro Leagues. During this time, his performance earned him three appearances in the East-West All-Star game. In the 1935 game, Crutchfield made an astonishing catch when he chased down a long drive and leapt in the air, catching the ball in his bare hand. In 1941 he was named an All-Star again, this time as a member of the Chicago American Giants
.
Crutchfield served in the military during World War II
from 1943 to 1944.
Renowned for his personality, Jimmie Crutchfield exemplified the "team player" who was a stable and positive influence on the field and in the clubhouse. After his baseball career was over, he went to work for the United States Postal Service
.
Jimmie Crutchfield died in Chicago in 1993 and was interred in the nearby Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
Macon County, Missouri
Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 15,566. Its county seat is Macon. The county was organized in 1837 and named for Nathaniel Macon, a North Carolina politician...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
– died March 31, 1993 in Chicago, Illinois, was an All-Star baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player 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...
.
A right outfielder, at 5' 7" tall, and with a small frame, Jimmie Crutchfield made up for any physical shortcomings with a natural talent for the game and speed, both of which were backed up by a hard work ethic. Without power, he mastered bat handling to control the placement of the ball through a hit or a bunt that consistently provided for a good batting average.
Crutchfield began his career with the Birmingham Black Barons
Birmingham Black Barons
The Birmingham Black Barons played professional baseball for Birmingham, Alabama, in the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1960 when the Major Leagues successfully integrated...
in 1930 but the following year moved to the Indianapolis ABC's. When the team ran into financial difficulties, he left to play with the Pittsburgh Crawfords
Pittsburgh Crawfords
The Pittsburgh Crawfords, popularly known as the Craws, were a professional Negro league baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Named after the Crawford Grill, a club in the Hill District of Pittsburgh owned by Gus Greenlee, the Crawfords were originally a youth semipro team sponsored by...
, where he remained for the next five years. Teamed with Ted Strong
Ted Strong
Ted Strong , was an American Negro League baseball player who played from 1937 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1951 for the Indianapolis Athletics, Indianapolis ABCs, Indianapolis Clowns, Kansas City Monarchs, and Chicago American Giants...
and Cool Papa Bell, they formed what is considered the best outfield in the Negro Leagues. During this time, his performance earned him three appearances in the East-West All-Star game. In the 1935 game, Crutchfield made an astonishing catch when he chased down a long drive and leapt in the air, catching the ball in his bare hand. In 1941 he was named an All-Star again, this time as a member of the Chicago American Giants
Chicago American Giants
Chicago American Giants were a Chicago-based Negro league baseball team, owned and managed from 1911 to 1926 by player-manager Andrew "Rube" Foster. From 1910 until the mid-1930s, the American Giants were the most dominant team in black baseball...
.
Crutchfield served in the military during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
from 1943 to 1944.
Renowned for his personality, Jimmie Crutchfield exemplified the "team player" who was a stable and positive influence on the field and in the clubhouse. After his baseball career was over, he went to work for the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
.
Jimmie Crutchfield died in Chicago in 1993 and was interred in the nearby Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.