Negro Leagues Game of the Day on This Date in 1928 (June 14th)

Thursday, June 14th – The Memphis Red Sox at the Chicago American Giants, in Schorling Park for a double header. Chicago comes home after having lost the last 8 of 9 on the road in Birmingham and Kansas City. The American Giants raise their World Championship banner for 1927 in pre-game ceremonies.

Here are the starting lineups for Game #1:

Memphis Red Sox (14-18)
1. Henry Harris, SS
2. J.C. McHaskell, 1B
3. Pinky Ward, CF
4. Heavy Johnson, RF
5. Dan Thomas, 2B
6. Bobby Robinson, 3B
7. Wesley Hicks, LF
8. Larry Brown, C
9. Steel Arm Tyler, P

Chicago American Giants (13-17)
1. Jelly Gardner, CF
2. Lemuel Hawkins, 1B
3. John Hines, LF
4. Pythias Russ, SS
5. Charlie Williams, 2B
6. Stanford Jackson, 3B
7. Ruben Jones, RF
8. Charlie Hancock, C
9. Willie Powell, P

Two good young pitchers face off, with 22-year-old Steel Arm Tyler opposing the 24-year-old Willie Powell, who has become the team’s #2 starter behind Willie Foster.

In the bottom of the first, after Jelly Gardner and Lemuel Hawkins are out, John Hines singles to center, and Pythias Russ follows with a double to left, scoring Hines. 1-0 Chicago after 1 inning.

After that, the two pitchers hook up in a classic pitcher’s duel. Neither team can break through, and Powell makes the first inning run hold up for a 1-0 complete game shutout victory.

NOTES: John Hines is the hitting star, going 2 for 2 with a walk and the only run scored in the game. Willie Powell goes 9 innings, giving up 0 runs, 3 hits, walks 2 and strikes out 13. In his 8 innings, Tyler gives up just the 1 run, 5 hits, 2 walks, and strike out 8.

Other NNL Scores:
Chicago American Giants-3, Memphis Red Sox-2 (Game #2, Schorling Park)

Willie Powell