Andrew McCutchen details Buffalo's Negro Leagues history in video
Tonight, when the Toronto Blue Jays will have their first official game in their temporary home of Buffalo, there are certain to be plenty of anecdotes shared about the history of baseball in Buffalo. When that happens, Andrew McCutchen wants to make sure the Negro Leagues aren't forgotten.
In a YouTube video shared on his Twitter account Tuesday, the Philadelphia Phillies outfielder detailed some of the notable events from when the Indianapolis Clowns — a barnstorming Negro Leagues team — played in Buffalo.
The Clowns played in Buffalo's Offermann Stadium, then the home of the AAA Buffalo Bisons, from 1951-1955. They won three league titles in that time and were the inspiration for the 1976 movie "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings."
"The Clowns were a barnstorming team, meaning they went from city to city challenging teams to exhibitions for money," McCutchen said in the video. "To attract more fans, they liked to put on a show, kind of like the Harlem Globetrotters. They ran the bases backwards, stole third base from first, they even shot craps during the game. And pitchers today get mad over bat flips!"
Toni Stone, the first female professional baseball player, played for the Clowns in 1953, even getting a hit off Satchel Paige. During their time in Buffalo, the Clowns later signed two more women: Peanut Johnson and Connie Morgan. Johnson was 33-8 as a pitcher in her career with the Clowns from 1953-55.
Hall of Famer Hank Aaron also played for the Clowns for three months in 1952, where he was so good that the Braves and Giants bid to be able to sign him. He ended up with the then-Milwaukee Braves. Aaron played 21 years for the Braves and two for the Milwaukee Brewers, winning National League MVP and a World Series in 1957. His number is now retired by both the Braves and Brewers. In 1974, Aaron broke Babe Ruth's record for career home runs and his eventual total of 755 stood for 33 years, only being surpassed by Barry Bonds.
"Before he was Hammerin' Hank, he was known in Buffalo as Pork Chops," McCutchen said. "As he said, 'It was the only thing I knew to order off the menu.' Not gonna lie, I am all about a good pork chop."
In 2019, McCutchen was one of just 68 Black players on MLB opening day rosters. He has frequently spoken out about the plight of Black baseball players, organizing a demonstration in support of racial unity on opening day and co-writing an op-ed calling for more police accountability after the killing of George Floyd.