John W (Jackson) Fowler Jr (1858 - 1913)

Born 16 Mar 1858 in Fort Plain, Montgomery, New York

Ancestors

Died 26 Feb 1913 at age 54 in Frankfort, Herkimer, New York

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Biography

Bud (Jackson) Fowler Jr is Notable.

Bud Fowler was an American baseball player, manager, and club organizer. He is the earliest known African-American player in organized professional baseball.

John W. Jackson, Jr. was born in March 16, 1858 in Fort Plain, New York, USA to parents Mary Lansing (born ca.1838, NY) and John W. Jackson, Sr. (born ca.1834, NY). The name or nickname "Bud Fowler" came from his years playing across so many club teams in the various baseball leagues. Apparently he called everyone "Bud" thus it became his moniker from friendly, fellow players. Adopting the name Bud Fowler is still shrouded in a bit of mystery but this explains it better:

"...The reason for the name change is unclear. The main motives why a ballplayer played under an assumed name are to avoid trouble with his parents; to shorten a long name; to avoid conflict with college eligibility; to skirt the reserve clause; or to avoid repercussions from past misdeeds — inside baseball or out. The only one of these that makes sense circa 1878 is the first — family interference. ^[1]

John "Bud" Fowler was the first African American to play professional baseball, beginning his career in 1878, only one year after the first Minor League was created /organized. Standing at 5'7" and weighing 150 pounds "Bud" was an amazing (right handed) pitcher who throughout an illustrious yet tumultuous career (due to racist attitudes not poor playing) spent nearly as much time at bat (hit right) and eventually ending his career out in left field. ^[2]

Fowler died on February 26, 1913, in Frankfort, New York. His illness and poverty in his final years were covered by national media outlets. His grave lacked a marker.^[3]

Recognition

• The Society for American Baseball Research placed a memorial on his grave in 1987 to commemorate and honor his achievements as the first African-American professional baseball player.

• Cooperstown, New York, proclaimed April 20, 2013 as "Bud Fowler Day" and honored him with a plaque and an exhibit at Doubleday Field . The street that leads to the Field is now known as "Fowler Way."

• On July 29, 2020,The Society for American Baseball Research announced that Bud Fowler was selected as SABR's Overlooked 19th Century Base Ball Legend of 2020 — a 19th-century player, manager, executive, or other baseball personality who has not yet been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

• On November 5, 2021, he was chosen as one of the final ten candidates for consideration by the Early Days Committee for the Class of 2022 in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. His election was declared official on December 5, 2021.

Team Participation

Sources

1. ↑ Bio.
2. ↑ NLBEMuseum
3. ↑ Hoffman, Benjamin He Was a Black Star 60 Years Before Jackie. Now He’s a Hall of Famer. New York Times. Dec. 6, 2021
4. ↑ https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=fowler004joh#

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Fowler
• https://vtdigger.org/2022/06/19/then-again-the-first-black-pro-baseball-player-briefly-starred-on-a-montpelier-team/?utm_source=VTDigger+Subscribers+and+Donors&utm_campaign=d0126207b9-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_06_20_12_13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dc3c5486db-d0126207b9-331363090