1932 Chicago American Giants

1932 Chicago American Giants / Franchise: Chicago American Giants / BR Team Page

Record: 34-12, Finished 1st in Negro Southern League (1932 NSL)

Managed by Dave Malarcher

Ballpark: South Side Park

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1932 Chicago American Giants won the Negro Southern League title in the league's only year as a major league. While Chicago was a well-established team from the old Negro National League and had Hall-of-Famers Turkey Stearnes and Willie Powell, they did face challenges. Their first-half title was disputed by the Monroe Monarchs, and they did not win the second half. In the finals, they topped the Nashville Elite Giants to win the title, though.

They had a 131 OPS+ with every starter over 100, led by CF Stearnes (.292/.374/.440, 173 OPS+), 1B Steel Arm Davis (.294/.350/.454, 170 OPS+) and RF Nat Rogers (.327/.399/.390, 166 OPS+). Other starters were LF Sandy Thompson (.313/.357/.374, 146 OPS+), SS Cool Turner (.289/.333/.349, 130 OPS+), C John Hines (.287/.344/.357, 136 OPS+), 3B Alex Radcliff (.268/.337/.340, 128 OPS+) and 2B Jack Marshall (.263/.316/.299, 106 OPS+). The primary subs were C Ameal Brooks (.281/.343/.313, 121 OPS+), 2B Kermit Dial (.161/.212/.258, 58 OPS+) and OF Joe Lillard (.217/.250/.217, 58 OPS+).

The ERA+, though, was only 87 (6th in the NSL). Foster was 8-5 with a save and a 2.09 ERA (128 ERA+) while Melvin Powell was 8-3 with a 2.49 ERA (107 ERA+). Lillard (2-2, 3.04, 88 ERA+), Willie Powell (7-3, 3.23, 83 ERA+) and Norman Cross (2-1, 3.63, 73 ERA+) also made at least five appearances.

All stats listed are per the Seamheads database 2/22/2021; other sources vary