Jap Payne

Payne in 1909.

Andrew H. Payne

• Born December 6, 1879 in Washington, DC USA
• Died August 22, 1942 in New York, NY USA

Biographical Information

Jap Payne was a Negro League outfielder of the Dead Ball Era.

Payne broke in with the 1902 Philadelphia Giants, then moved to the Cuban X-Giants in 1903. He was with the Brooklyn Royal Giants in 1905 and 1906 (.084 in the four games the team played against other top black clubs in this pre-league era). In 1907, he joined the Leland Giants. He went 3 for 20 against the Chicago American Giants in 1908. In 1909, he hit .311, second in the midwest behind Walter Ball. He was 1 for 11 in an exhibition against the Chicago Cubs. He batted .368 in 1910, 4th in the midwest, then hit .280 in a tour of Cuba.

Jap hit .273 with the American Giants in 1911 and .245 in 1912. With the Chicago Giants in 1913, he hit .333. He played for the New York Lincoln Stars in 1914 and ended his career with lesser clubs. In 1953, Pop Lloyd picked Payne as his all-time right fielder. He was on the preliminary ballot in the 2006 Special Committee on the Negro Leagues Election but did not advance to the second round.