HOMESTEAD, Pa. — Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Homestead Mayor Betty Esper, and the Josh Gibson Foundation today unveiled and dedicated 18 new bridge signs in honor of the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords Negro League baseball teams. The signs are mounted on the Homestead Grays Bridge and highlight seven players from each team, as well as each team’s owner and logo.

“Today, we’re proud to unveil a permanent tribute for two of our region’s most heralded sports teams,” said Onorato. “The Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords represent an important chapter in our region’s history and that of our national pastime. They made their mark playing on local fields and battling for national pennants. We’re pleased to recognize their contributions to sports and our community.”

Each metal sign is in the shape of an elongated home plate and was designed by Pittsburgh sports artist Dino Guarino. The signs were made at the Allegheny County Sign Shop. Following her successful campaign to rename the Homestead High-Level Bridge for the Homestead Grays in 2002, Mayor Esper turned her attention to creating another permanent tribute.

“The time was right to recognize these two Negro League teams and what they meant to our region,” said Esper. “These signs will help to educate visitors and the thousands of motorists that travel the bridge every day about the importance of these local teams and their heritage.”

One of the players depicted is Josh Gibson who played for both the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. One of the most famous Negro League players of all time, Gibson is known for his legendary batting feats. His dominance at the plate earned him a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

“This is a special year for Josh Gibson,” said Josh Gibson Foundation Executive Director and Gibson’s great grandson Sean Gibson. “As we celebrate this special dedication at the Homestead Grays Bridge, the Josh Gibson Foundation is also celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of Gibson’s birth, which was December 21, 1911. These accomplishments are important to my family and the legacy of my great grandfather. Negro League players like Josh Gibson paved the way and played a major role in the history of America’s national pastime. We at the foundation feel that it is a story that must be told.”

“Pittsburgh has a long and rich baseball tradition. The Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords were both powerhouses in the Negro Leagues. Some of the most accomplished players in the history of the game of baseball played in Pittsburgh for these two great organizations,” said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “The Pirates are extremely pleased that the inspirational stories of these great ballplayers will be honored in Pittsburgh for generations to come.” 

Founded by Cumberland Posey in 1912, the Homestead Grays is one of the Negro League’s most storied franchises. The team won nine consecutive Negro National League championships and three Negro World Series titles, and drew some of the largest crowds in the area.

Home to some of the Negro League’s most famous players, the Pittsburgh Crawfords dominated baseball in the 1930s. The team was a staple in the Negro National League, and in 1935, won the Negro National League championship.

# # #

About the Other Players and Owners Featured on the Homestead Grays Bridge

• Cumberland Posey was the Homestead Grays team owner, manager and player, and he was vital to the success of the team. Posey’s abilities both on and off the field made him one of the most well-known figures in Negro League Baseball.
• Sellers Hall played for the Homestead Grays between 1917 and 1920. Today, he is honored at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, where his picture can be seen by thousands of baseball fans.
• Vic Harris was a staple in the Homestead Grays organization. He spent 23 years with the club as a player and manager. In 1938, Harris hit for .380 with 10 home runs and 17 stolen bases, all while managing the team.
• Ray Brown was a versatile pitcher who was a key to the success of the Homestead Grays. While his curveball made him a standout on the mound, his ability to hit from both sides of the plate made him one of the best all around players in the league.
• Buck Leonard was a smooth first-baseman who could field and hit a baseball with equal expertise. Whether at first base or home plate, no ball could get past Buck Leonard.
• Clarence Bruce was a second baseman for the Homestead Grays and part of the team for its 1948 Negro League World Series championship.
• Smokey Joe Williams was never allowed into the major leagues, but he is still considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He displayed his powerful arm during his time with the Homestead Grays, which earned him the nickname “cyclone.” In 1999, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• As the owner of the Pittsburgh Crawfords, Gus Greenlee brought many of the Negro League’s finest players to Pittsburgh. Greenlee also played an instrumental role in the formation of the New Negro League.
• Oscar Charleston was one of the best Negro League players of the era. He once batted .363 while managing the team to a record of 99-36. In 1976, Charleston was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Ted Page’s lightning speed and aggressive attitude made him one of the most feared base runners in all of baseball. Page’s hitting was equally impressive, and it is said that he batted .429 in exhibition games against major league pitchers.
• While many know Satchel Paige for his successful years in the Major Leagues, some of his most legendary seasons were with the Pittsburgh Crawfords. His extraordinary talent drew crowds. In 1971, Satchel Paige became the first Negro League star inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Bill Harris was a standout in the field, splitting time between first and third base for the Crawfords. His main contribution to the team was playing a critical role in its formation, and laying the foundation for tremendous success.
• Harold Tinker was a Pittsburgh legend who truly loved the game of baseball. He was able to live his dream as an outfielder for the Pittsburgh Crawfords between 1922 and 1931. He would later be credited for discovering the young catcher Josh Gibson in 1927.
• Known as the fastest player in baseball, James Cool Papa Bell’s speed made him one of the most dangerous players on the Pittsburgh Crawfords. Satchel Paige once joked that Bell could turn out the light in a room and be in bed before the room got dark. In addition to his legendary speed, Bell swung a tremendous bat and was a standout fielder.
• Judy Johnson was known as one of the greatest fielding third basemen in the Negro Leagues. He helped the Crawfords win a Negro League World Series title in 1935. Johnson coupled his fielding skills with clutch hitting, which was needed to win game six of the seven-game series. He later became the first African-American coach in Major League Baseball, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975.

About the Josh Gibson Foundation

Josh Gibson spent a number of years as a member of the Homestead Grays, winning nine consecutive Negro National League pennants. In addition to his accomplishments on the baseball field, Josh Gibson also left a lasting impact on the Homestead community. Today, the Josh Gibson Foundation is dedicated to continuing this legacy. The goal of the Foundation is to establish a history and learning center in Homestead and to continue to reach out to the children and families of the community. For additional information, visit www.joshgibson.org.

 Print Version