1933 Chicago American Giants

1933 Chicago American Giants / Franchise: Chicago American Giants / BR Team Page

Record: 41-22-1, Finished 2nd in Negro National League (1933 NNL)

Managed by Dave Malarcher

Ballpark: South Side Park, Perry Stadium

History, Comments, Contributions

The 1933 Chicago American Giants were inaugural members of the second Negro National League, just like they had been in the first edition of the NNL. They did well, as their record was just as good as the champion 1933 Pittsburgh Crawfords but the Crawfords were awarded the title by NNL president Gus Greenlee, who owned the Crawfords. The American Giants protested that decision. They also suffered loss of their ballpark during the season, forcing them to move from Chicago to Indianapolis during the year.

Unlike the Crawfords, who dominated the leaderboards, they did not have the league's biggest stars but had plenty of talent, with four future Hall-of-Famers and nine representatives at the 1933 East-West Game. CF Turkey Stearnes (.354/.418/.600, 176 OPS+, 36 R in 31 G) and 3B Alex Radcliffe (.338/.406/.493, 146 OPS+) were their top performers (stats have not been found for all of Chicago's games). Also with OPS+es over 100 were LF Steel Arm Davis (.278/.331/.444, 111 OPS+), C Larry Brown (.304/.385/.374, 110 OPS+), 1B Mule Suttles (.248/.318/.446, 108 OPS+) and RF Nat Rogers (.313/.357/.400, 108 OPS+, 36 RBI in 39 G). SS Willie Wells (.263/.307/.346, 79 OPS+, 30 R in 36 G) and 2B Jack Marshall (.252/.319/.328, 79 OPS+) were the other starters. The main back-ups were UT Quincy Trouppe (.289/.360/.467, 126 OPS+) and 2B Joe Lillard (.395/.410/.658, 189 OPS+).

The pitching was not as strong but still fair with a 100 ERA+. Willie Foster was excellent (6-2, 2.47, 175 ERA+) while Willie Powell (8-3, 3.59, 120 ERA+) was also a productive hurler. Not as sharp were Willie Cornelius (6-6, 5.02, 86 ERA+), Melvin Powell (3-2, 5.73, 75 ERA+) and Lillard (2-0, 6.00, 72 ERA+).

All stats listed are per the Seamheads database 12/31/2020; other sources vary

Awards and Honors

• All-Stars: Larry Brown, Willie Cornelius, Steel Arm Davis, Willie Foster, Jack Marshall, Alex Radcliff, Turkey Stearnes, Mule Suttles and Willie Wells