US Negro League stars found better pay, integration and fame in Mexico [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Cool Papa Bell slides into third during a game in Washington D.C. on Negro League opening day in May 1943. He was renowned for his speed.

New James Bell biography discusses his years playing baseball for teams in Mexico
By Rich Tenorio
Published on Tuesday, March 16, 2021

In 1940, Mexican League baseball player James “Cool Papa” Bell had a season to remember.

Playing for the champion Azules of Veracruz, Bell became the first player in league history to achieve a feat called the Triple Crown — leading all players in three separate statistical categories: batting average, home runs and runs batted in (RBIs).

A few seasons earlier, Bell had come to Mexico as a highly successful player in his home country, the United States. Yet, his career there had been limited because of his race. Through an unofficial color barrier, the American major leagues banned Black players, who found an alternative in the Negro Leagues.

Many Negro League stars, including Bell, were described as being as good as, if not better than, their celebrated white major league counterparts. The Mexican League gave Bell and fellow Negro Leaguers a chance to play on integrated teams.

More:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/negro-league-players-in-mexico/

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https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016289943