A history of Negro Leagues baseball in Toledo
TOLEDO, OH – The city of Toledo holds a rich history in the game of baseball. As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s look back at Toledo’s Negro Leagues baseball history. The 1923 Toledo Tigers were a member of the Negro National League (NNL). The team only lasted a short
TOLEDO, OH – The city of Toledo holds a rich history in the game of baseball. As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s look back at Toledo’s Negro Leagues baseball history.
The 1923 Toledo Tigers were a member of the Negro National League (NNL). The team only lasted a short time, due to the low funding and disorganization of the league. As teams created their own schedule and Toledo had a late start, the team began play on May 26, 1923. After the initial six-game home series, they became a road team before ceasing play as the Toledo Tigers after their final game on June 27, 1923. The team finished with a record of 10-17 before merging with the NNL’s Cleveland Tate Stars.
The 1939 Toledo Crawfords came to northwest Ohio after being relocated from Pittsburgh, PA following the team being purchased by a group of white Toledo businessmen. Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Jesse Owens was a part-owner of the club prior to their relocation in 1938 and came with the purchase of the club. Hank Rigney of Toledo was the President of the team, while Owens held the title of Vice President as both were minority owners. The Crawfords played in both the Negro National League 2 and the Negro American League. The team finished a combined 13-17-2 between the two leagues under player/manager and Hall of Famer Oscar Charleston. The team played as many, if not more, exhibition games against some of the best teams the Negro Leagues had to offer. An added attraction to Toledo Crawfords games was owner Jesse Owens running foot races against men, motorcycles, and even horses.
The 1945 Toledo Cubs have a bit of a cloudy history. The club’s ownership is relatively unknown, and may have been Toledo owned, as Jesse Heslip, a Black Toledo attorney was President of the club. Hall of Famer Turkey Stearnes was a player and the team captain. The Cubs’ record is incomplete, as there are only three known home games, and the team disbanded following a home exhibition game on June 29, 1945.
Aside from the three Negro Leagues teams in Toledo’s history, other Negro Leagues teams utilized Swayne Field while the Mud Hens were on the road, providing some of the most popular Negro Leagues events played in Toledo. Touring teams played at Swayne Field for over 20 years and allowed future Hall of Fame talent to grace the diamond in Toledo. Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, and Roy Campanella were among the great touring talent, along with Toledo Sox standout Sam Jethroe, who often suited up for the Cleveland Buckeyes.
Toledo’s Negro Leagues teams and players are included in the records kept presently by the Toledo Mud Hens. Though these records are incomplete, research is continually improving the data.
We’d like to give a special thanks to Toledo Baseball Historian John Husman for all of his assistance with this piece.
Mud Hens complete sweep with 4-0 shutout against Bats
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens blanked the Louisville Bats 4-0 to complete a series sweep on Sunday, June 1, at Fifth Third Field. First pitch was at 2:05 p.m. Louisville got their bats going early in the top of the first with back-to-back singles from Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Edwin Ríos,
Hens win seventh straight with yet another grand slam
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens took their seventh-straight home win Saturday night in dramatic fashion over the Louisville Bats. The Hens struggled to get things going early, but benefited greatly from their third-straight grand slam in as many games. Both Dietrich Enns and Randy Wynne kept things scoreless
Explosive sixth gives Mud Hens 13-4 victory over Bats
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens demolished the Louisville bats 14-3 as their offense got red hot. The Bats kept things close early and even took a lead, but the Hens came storming back with an explosive sixth inning. The Mud Hens would have their work cut out for
Walk-off grand slam from Madris lifts Mud Hens over Bats
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens walked off in dramatic fashion against the Louisville Bats in game three of their series on Thursday, May 29, at Fifth Third Field, with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. The Bats got on the board early as Christian Encarnacion-Strand launched a two-out solo homer in
Serven’s blast lifts Mud Hens past Bats 4-2
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Louisville Bats in game two of their six-game series on Wednesday, May 28, at Fifth Third Field. First pitch came at 11:05 a.m. in front of an energetic school day crowd. Louisville struck early in the top of the first when Edwin Ríos
Meadows tallies three hits in Tuesday win to Louisville
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field, earning a 10–5 victory. Toledo sent left-hander Nick Margevicius to the mound to start the game. He entered with a 1–1 record and a 3.43 ERA. Louisville countered with right-hander Chase Petty,
Margot walks it off for 5-4 victory over Indianapolis
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens walked it off against the Indianapolis Indians 5-4 Friday night and followed the celebration up with some Walleye highlights and some fireworks. Toledo struggled on offense early, but took care of business late. Pittsburgh’s No. 1 and MLB’s No. 2 prospect, Bubba Chandler,
Workman with two hits in Friday loss to Indy
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Indianapolis Indians on Friday night at Fifth Third Field, with a final score of 4-0. To start the game, Toledo sent right-handed pitcher Wilkel Hernandez (1-0, 2.16 ERA) to the mound, while Indianapolis countered with righty Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0, 0.00
Mud Hens take both games in Thursday night double-header
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens and the Indianapolis Indians competed in a double-header on Thursday, May 22, at Fifth Third Field, with first pitch of game one coming at 5:35 p.m. Indianapolis got the bats going early with a two-out base hit from Nick Yorke in the top of the
Mud Hens earn 3-0 win after weather stops play at Fifth Third Field
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Indianapolis Indians 3-0 on Wednesday, May 21, at Fifth Third Field. Left-hander Nick Margevicius started on the mound for Toledo and would retire the side to kick off the game. Jace Jung worked a walk in the bottom of the first after a
Mud Hens overcome late RailRiders rally in series finale
SCRANTON, PA - The Toledo Mud Hens and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders had an offense driven series finale Sunday, ending in a 10-8 victory for the Mud Hens. Toledo got ahead early, but was forced to overcome a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre resurgence late. Getting the nod for the RailRiders in the series finale
Hernandez shines from the mound in 7-2 loss
SCRANTON, PA - Looking to reach .500 for the first time this season, the (21-22) Toledo Mud Hens fell to the (20-21) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders 7-2. Toledo would take an early lead and hold onto it thanks to some impressive pitching, but fell late as the RailRiders’ bats warmed up. Following
Toledo takes game four against Scranton behind strong relief and timely hitting
Scranton, PA-The Toledo Mud Hens secured a 6-3 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Friday, May 16, under the lights at PNC Field. First pitch was at 6:35 p.m. Toledo came out aggressive at the plate, with Jake Rogers swinging at the first pitch and singling up the middle. However,
Nine Mud Hens record hits in 20-7 offensive explosion
Scranton, PA-The Toledo Mud Hens came out swinging on Thursday, May 15, as they faced off against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field. Toledo wasted no time getting on the board. Carlos Mendoza launched a solo homer in the top of the first to open the scoring. After back-to-back walks
Navigato and Lee go deep, but Mud Hens drop tight one to RailRiders
Scranton, PA-The Toledo Mud Hens dropped a hard fought matchup to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, falling 5-4 on Wednesday, May 14 at PNC Field. After a 90 minute rain delay, the RailRiders wasted no time getting on the board. Leadoff hitter Jesus Rodriguez opened the bottom of the first with a
Toledo dominates in 7-0 Tuesday win at Scranton
Scranton, PA – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Tuesday night at PNC Field with a dominant 7-0 final. Toledo sent lefty Lael Lockhart to the mound for Game 1. Lockhart entered the game with an 0-3 record and a 5.17 ERA. The RailRiders countered with right-hander
Defensive battle leads to Sunday loss to Iowa
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Iowa Cubs in a defensive battle on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Field, splitting the six-game series 3-3 to close out the homestand. The final score was 3-1 in favor of Iowa. Starting on the mound for the Mud Hens
Toledo almost pulls off rally, but Iowa fights back late
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens and the Iowa Cubs had a back and forth battle Saturday night, ending in a 7-6 extra-innings loss for Toledo. The Hens benefitted from some exquisite pitching and hot bats early, but fell behind the Cubs as things cooled off. Toledo would fight
Eighth inning rally gives Hens the Friday night win
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Iowa Cubs on Friday night at Fifth Third Field with a final score of 7–3. The Hens sent left-handed pitcher Nick Margevicius (0–0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound to start the game, while the Cubs countered with right-hander Connor Noland (3–1,