The African American Baseball Experience in Nebraska

Nebraska is not usually thought of as a focal point in the history of black baseball, yet the state has seen its share of contributions to the African American baseball experience. This book examines nine of the most significant, including the rise and fall of the Lincoln Giants, Satchel Paige’s adventures in the Cornhusker State, a visit from Jackie Robinson, and the maturation of Bob Gibson both on and off the field. Also, recollections are featured from individuals who participated in or witnessed the African American baseball experience in the Omaha area.

Angelo J. Louisa is a researcher, writer, and community educator who lives in Omaha, Nebraska.

Edited by Angelo J. Louisa
Foreword by James E. Overmyer
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 314
Bibliographic Info: 45 photos, notes, index
Copyright Date: 2021
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7976-4
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4156-0
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vii
Foreword
James E. Overmyer 1
Introduction: Blacks, Baseball and the Cornhusker State
Angelo J. Louisa 3

Section I—The Long and Winding Road
Prologue
Angelo J. Louisa 8
1. The Best in the West: The Lincoln Giants
Jeremy S. Bloch 9
2. Integration Before the “Great Experiment”: The Nebraska State
League of 1892
William H. Lyons 25
3. Bud Fowler: Baseball’s Black Pioneer Comes to Nebraska
David C. Ogden 65
4. The Buffalo Soldiers Play Ball
Robert P. Nash 78
5. Shadow Ball in the River City: The Omaha Federals, Tigers and Rockets
Angelo J. Louisa 90
6. Satchel Paige Was Here: Rambles Through Nebraska
Devon M. Niebling 155
7. When Jackie Came to Town
John A. Shorey 172
8. African Americans in the College World Series
Jerry E. Clark 184
9. The Pride of Omaha: Bob Gibson
William R. Lamberty and Robert P. Nash 202

Section II—Voices from the Omaha Area
Prologue
Dennis E. Hoffman 216
10. John Morse 219
11. James Redden 225
12. Al Gilmore 229
13. Jerry Bartee 235
14. Steve Bauermeister 242
15. Gary Gilmore 246
16. Rodger Ulmar 253
17. Ron Bartee 258
18. Phil Wise 265
19. Johnny Rodgers 273
20. Kimera Bartee 279
21. Peaches James 286

About the Contributors 293
Index 295