| Jimmy Claxton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:(1892-12-14)December 14, 1892 Wellington, British Columbia | |
| Died: March 3, 1970(1970-03-03) (aged 77) Tacoma, Washington | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| Negro leagues debut | |
| 1932, for the Pollock's Cuban Stars | |
| Last Negro leagues appearance | |
| 1932, for the Washington Pilots | |
| Negro leagues statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–1 |
| Earned run average | 11.05 |
| Strikeouts | 8 |
| Teams | |
| Member of the Canadian | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2021 |
James Edgar Claxton (December 14, 1892 – March 3, 1970) was a Canadian-Americanbaseballpitcher, and the first black man to play organized white baseball in the twentieth century.
Jimmy Claxton was born on December 14, 1892, inWellington, British Columbia, to American parents.[1] Claxton's parents were 32-year-old William Edgar Claxton, a miner from Lynchburg, Virginia, and 18-year-old Emma Richards from Illinois. Claxton's mother had turned 18 just 24 days before the wedding, which was January 14, 1892.[2] The Claxtons moved toTacoma, Washington, when Jimmy was three months old.[3]
The Claxton family was of amultiracial background, including people ofblack,Native American, French, Irish, and English ancestry. Jimmy and his siblings have been classified as white, black, andmulatto by variouscensus-takers. Claxton'sWorld War I draft registration card lists his race asEthiopian.[4] The minister officiating the marriage of Claxton's parents noted "The bridegroom is a coloured man; the bride a white woman" on the marriage record,[1] which laid the groundwork for difficulties for Jimmy Claxton later.
Claxton began playing baseball at age thirteen, as a catcher for the town team ofRoslyn, Washington. He later moved topitcher. At age 18, he struck out eighteen players in a single game while pitching for a team from Chester, Washington.[3]
By 1916, Claxton had made his way to theOakland, California, where he played for anall-black team. In Oakland, he came the attention of the management of theOakland Oaks of thePacific Coast League.[3] Claxton was introduced to the team owner by a part Native American friend as a fellow member of anOklahoma tribe. At the time, African Americans were segregated in professional baseball, but Native Americans were allowed.[5]
On May 28, 1916, Claxton broke theprofessional baseball color line when he played two games for the Oaks. Claxton pitched in two games of adoubleheader for a combined total of two and one thirdinnings. He allowed three runs, four hits, and four walks.[6] TheZee-Nut candy company produced a baseball card for Claxton, making him the first African American baseball player to appear on a baseball card. Within a week, a friend of Claxton revealed that he had both African American and Native Americanancestors, and Claxton was promptly fired. In an interview with theContra Costa Times in 1964, Claxton explained that no reason was given for his dismissal, but he believed it was due to his race. Oaks managerRowdy Elliott claimed that Claxton was released because of his performance.[6] It was nearly thirty years before another black man played organized white baseball.[7]
After leaving the Oaks, Claxton played forShasta Limited, an all-blacksemi-professional team based in northern California.[8] While with the Shastas, he set abush league record by striking out nineteen players in a single game.[9] He won a state semi-professional championship while pitching with the Shastas.[8]
Claxton played for many different teams in the negro leagues, including theChicago Union Giants and theCuban Stars.
In 1932, he pitched for bothPollock's Cuban Stars and theWashington Pilots of theEast–West League.[10]
He pitched his final game at age 63, during an old-timer's game inTacoma, Washington.[3]
Claxton died on March 3, 1970, in Tacoma.[11]
