James Abernathy

Robert William Abernathy

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut 1945
• Final Game 1948
• Born July 12, 1918 in Columbia, TN USA
• Died September 2, 1997 in Nashville, TN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

James Abernathy was a Negro League outfielder for four years.

Abernathy worked in a defense job in California during World War II. He started his baseball career with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945, then spent two seasons with the Indianapolis Clowns. He played for the West in the second East-West Game of 1947, replacing Buddy Armour in the lineup and manning left field (LF Jose Colas moved to right to take Armour's spot in the field). Abernathy went 0 for 4 in a 8-2 win for the West. He played for the New York Cubans in 1948, but broke his leg while sliding into home, ending his career.

Abernathy later ran a dry-cleaning business in Nashville, TN. He lost both legs in the 1980s due to diabetes.

Notable Achievements

• NAL All-Star (1947)

Sources

• The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues by James Riley
• The Complete Book of Baseball's Negro Leagues by John Holway
• Black Baseball's National Showcase by Larry Lester