Wednesday, August 26, 2015

HALL OF FAME #30: OSCAR CHARLESTON: CLASS OF 1976

Next up on the Hall of Fame train, we move on to 1976 and former Negro League legend Oscar Charleston, who played and managed in the league for 30 years between 1915 to 1945.
Check out my card:


Though he played for many organizations during his illustrious career, it was his time with the Pittsburgh Crawfords that really established his legendary career.
As player-manager, he guided was many consider the greatest Negro League team ever, stocked with other legends like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige and Judy Johnson.
According to some researchers, Charleston finished his career with a batting average hovering around .350, with a slugging percentage of about .575.
Since his induction to the Hall of Fame, he is frequently mentioned when there is discussion as to the greatest players of all-time, regardless of Major or Negro League.
In 1999 he was ranked #67 on the Sporting News list of the "100 Greatest Baseball Players", and he was also nominated for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.