Rap Dixon
Encyclopedia
Herbert Allen "Rap" Dixon (September 15, 1902 - July 20, 1942) was an American
outfielder
in Negro League baseball
for a number of teams. He was born in Kingston, Georgia
.
Although Dixon began playing in the league in 1922
, he joined the semi-pro Keystone Giants in 1916
at the age of fourteen. Dixon was noticed for his quick and powerful bat by William Strothers, who was building up the independent Giants at the time.
When Dixon began playing for Strothers in the 1920s, the outfield for the Giants was one of the best of all time; Dixon, Oscar Charleston
, and Fats Jenkins
. The lineup, in its entirety, scored runs at a higher pace than the 1927
New York Yankees
. Dixon had many weapons; speed, hitting, and power were all his strengths and he became known as a triple threat. In 1929
, he batted
.382 with seven home run
s, and led the league with six triples
.
Dixon was also notable for discovering the Baseball Hall of Famer Leon Day
playing in the Baltimore sandlots.
In possibly the most amazing feat of his career, playing in the first game in which two Negro-League teams faced each other at Yankee Stadium
, Dixon shot three home runs into the right field seats, in front of a crowd of 20,000.
Dixon also was a teammate of such Hall of Fame greats as Satchel Paige
and Judy Johnson
when he was with the Pittsburgh Crawfords
.
In later years, with the Baltimore Black Sox
, Rap played with his brother Paul and also with Day. Dixon was selected to the East-West All-Star Game in 1933
. Also, in 26 games against white major leaguers, he compiled a .372 average.
The accomplished Negro League legend died at age 39 in Detroit, Michigan
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
in Negro League baseball
Negro league baseball
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
for a number of teams. He was born in Kingston, Georgia
Kingston, Georgia
Kingston is a city in Bartow County, Georgia, United States. The population was 659 at the 2000 census; the 2005 official estimate listed a population of 868.-Geography:Kingston is located at ....
.
Although Dixon began playing in the league in 1922
1922 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Giants over New York Yankees -Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Negro National League final standings:-East final standings:...
, he joined the semi-pro Keystone Giants in 1916
1916 in baseball
left|thumb|300px|[[Woodrow Wilson]] throws out the ball on opening day.-Champions:*World Series: Boston Red Sox over Brooklyn Robins -MLB statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Events:...
at the age of fourteen. Dixon was noticed for his quick and powerful bat by William Strothers, who was building up the independent Giants at the time.
When Dixon began playing for Strothers in the 1920s, the outfield for the Giants was one of the best of all time; Dixon, Oscar Charleston
Oscar Charleston
Oscar McKinley Charleston was an American center fielder and manager in baseball's Negro leagues from to ....
, and Fats Jenkins
Fats Jenkins
Clarence Reginald "Fats" Jenkins was an African American professional baseball and basketball player from about 1920 to 1940 when both professional sports were racially segregated...
. The lineup, in its entirety, scored runs at a higher pace than the 1927
1927 in baseball
-Headline Event of the Year:*Murderers' Row lead New York Yankees to World Series victory.*Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs.-Champions:* World Series: New York Yankees over Pittsburgh Pirates...
New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Dixon had many weapons; speed, hitting, and power were all his strengths and he became known as a triple threat. In 1929
1929 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Philadelphia Athletics over Chicago Cubs -Awards and honors:*League Award** Rogers Hornsby, Chicago Cubs, 2B-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:...
, he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.382 with seven home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and led the league with six triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
.
Dixon was also notable for discovering the Baseball Hall of Famer Leon Day
Leon Day
Leon Day was an American right-handed pitcher in the Negro leagues. He played for the Baltimore Black Sox, the Brooklyn & Newark Eagles, and the Baltimore Elite Giants.He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995....
playing in the Baltimore sandlots.
In possibly the most amazing feat of his career, playing in the first game in which two Negro-League teams faced each other at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, Dixon shot three home runs into the right field seats, in front of a crowd of 20,000.
Dixon also was a teammate of such Hall of Fame greats as Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in Major League Baseball made him a legend in his own lifetime...
and Judy Johnson
Judy Johnson
William Julius "Judy" Johnson was an American third baseman in Negro league baseball.Johnson was born in Snow Hill, Maryland. Although his father wanted him to be a boxer, Johnson, who was 5 ft 11 in and only 150 lb , was far better suited for a career in baseball...
when he was with the Pittsburgh Crawfords
Pittsburgh Crawfords
The Pittsburgh Crawfords, popularly known as the Craws, were a professional Negro league baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Named after the Crawford Grill, a club in the Hill District of Pittsburgh owned by Gus Greenlee, the Crawfords were originally a youth semipro team sponsored by...
.
In later years, with the Baltimore Black Sox
Baltimore Black Sox
The Baltimore Black Sox were a professional Negro league baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.- Founding :The Black Sox started as an independent team in 1916 by George Rossiter and Charles Spedden...
, Rap played with his brother Paul and also with Day. Dixon was selected to the East-West All-Star Game in 1933
1933 in baseball
-Headline Events of the Year:* First Major League Baseball All-Star Game, July 6 at Comiskey Park: American League, 4-2.* First Negro League Baseball All-Star Game.-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Giants over Washington Senators...
. Also, in 26 games against white major leaguers, he compiled a .372 average.
The accomplished Negro League legend died at age 39 in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
.