1938 East-West Game - First Game (Negro League)

The 1938 East-West Game (First Game) was the sixth East-West Game. Played on August 21, 1938, it was held at Comiskey Park in Chicago, IL. The West pulled out a 5-4 win thanks to a quick start, after being battered by the East in the two prior contests.

The West was led by 3B Alex Radcliffe (2 for 4, R, 2 RBI), CF Neil Robinson (3 for 4, 3-run homer), Hilton Smith (1 R in 4 IP, W) and Double Duty Radcliffe (0 R in 4 IP, Sv)

The East's top performers were 2B Sammy T. Hughes (2 for 5, 2B, R, RBI), SS Willie Wells (2 for 4, 3B, R), Barney Brown (0 R in 3 IP, plus a single at the plate) and Schoolboy Johnny Taylor (0 R in 2 IP).

Top vote-getters were Frank Duncan (72,122), Taylor (67,124), Shifty Jim West (63,401; did not play), Sug Cornelius (63,230) and Ches Williams (62,693; did not play).

The game began with a double to left by Vic Harris off Cornelius. Sammy Hughes singled him in but was picked off. Willie Wells tripled, then scored on a one-out double by Rev Cannady. Sam Bankhead singled in Cannady for a 3-0 lead in the first. Cornelius was yanked after one and Smith and Double Duty Racdcliffe excelled out of the bullpen.

In the bottom of the first, Henry Milton was plunked, stole second and scored on a hit by Alex Radcliffe. The West got the rest of their runs off Edsall Walker in the third. Milton drew a leadoff walk and stole second. Newt Allen flew out, but Alex Radcliffe had a RBI single. Ted Strong walked. After Quincy Trouppe was retired, Neil Robinson belted his inside-the-park homer through the legs of CF Bankhead for the game's big blow.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
East	3	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	4	11	0
West	1	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	X	5	9	1

Rosters

East Starting Lineup

• Vic Harris, LF (Hom)
• Sammy T. Hughes, 2B (Bal)
• Willie Wells, SS (Nwk)
• Buck Leonard, 1B (Hom)
• Rev Cannady, 3B (NY)
• Sam Bankhead, CF (Pgh)
• Wild Bill Wright, RF (Bal)
• Biz Mackey, C (Bal)
• Edsall Walker, P (Hom)

Backups used

• Barney Brown, PH-P (NY)
• Schoolboy Johnny Taylor, P (Pgh)
• Jake Dunn, PH (Phi)

Manager

• Oscar Charleston

West Starting Lineup

• Henry Milton, CF (KC)
• Newt Allen, 2B (KC)
• Alex Radcliffe, 3B (Chi)
• Ted Strong, 1B (Ind)
• Quincy Trouppe, LF (Ind)
• Neil Robinson, CF (Mem)
• Frank Duncan, C (Chi)
• Byron Johnson, SS (KC)
• Sug Cornelius, P (Chi)

Backups used

• Parnell Woods, PH (Bir)
• Larry Brown, C (Mem)
• Hilton Smith, P (KC)
• Double Duty Radcliffe, P (Mem)

Manager

• Andy Cooper

Note

There was a second game played in late September, billed as a continuation of the East-West game, but was not officially sanctioned by the leagues. For all intents and purposes, this was the only East-West game played in 1938.

Sources

• Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester