BIO

Position: Right Hand Pitcher

Height: 5'9" Weight: 165 lbs

Born: February 26, 1926 Place: Mayfield, Kentucky

Career:

1940 Mayfield Black Hawks - Kitty League

1947 Omaha Rockets - Basketball Negro League

1948-1949 Kansas City Monarchs - Negro American League

1950 McCook Cats - Nebraska State League

1950 Pittsburge Pirate's farm team - Kitty League

1953 Minnesota Dukes in Duluth, Minnesota

Broke a fifty year barrier in the Kitty League on June 26, 1952 when Stubblefield became the first Negro baseball player.

His career goes back to 13 years old as a batboy then at 14 Stubblefield played for the Mayfield Hawks.

After a stint in the Navy, Stubblefield signed a contract to play baseball with an all black club for the Western League in Omaha, Neb.

Stubblefield pitched for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1948 and 1949, reportedly winning 20 games in his first season.

During his baseball career Stubblefield was a radio show host with WKTM Radio in Mayfield - "Kick with Mick."

Stubblefield was given the name Mickey because of his shoes. They were always hand-me-downs and usually too big. It was also about the time Mickey Mouse came into existence. Mickey Mouse's unusually large shoes closely resembled Stubblefield's hand-me-downs - thus the name.

He received raving reports from sportswriters all across the country, especially in the 42 states which were on the Monarch's barn storming tour.

Stubblefield played with the Monarchs for three years, and played on the same field with such baseball greats as Satchel Paige and James (Cool Papa) Bell.

Mayfield Manager Red Barrett utilized Stubblefield as a starter and reliever. He was also known as the "Mayfield Mounder."

He pitched only in Mayfield because of racial fears in most Kitty League towns.

Mickey "Little Satch" Stubblefield's BIO

Mickey Stubblefield became known, while with the Kansas City Monarchs as "Little Satch" because he had almost as many pitches and deliveries as the great pitcher, Satchel Paige.

A Chico, California newspaper referred to Stubblefield as, "a crowd pleaser often referred to as "Little Satch" because of the many different deliveries he has are characteristic of Paige himself. "

Satchel Page coached Stubblefield and said if he was a foot taller he could use him for a double on the mound.

The Mayfield Clothiers were in the Kitty League cellar with a 20-31 record. Pittsburgh Pirates scouts Frank Rickey (brother of Pirates GM Branch Rickey) and Bill Burwell were in town signing local talent for the struggling club and approached Stubblefield about playing for the Clothiers.

About 1500 fans --- black and white --- packed War Memorial Park, and overflowed into the adjacent football grandstand in right field for Stubblefield's historic Kitty League debut. They gave him a standing ovation to start the game and he struck out the first batter he faced, Paducah third baseman Russ Davis.

He stuck out six batters, walked five, and scattered six hits in the complete game victory, winning 5-4.