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Jake Freeman

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Joseph Charles Freeman ("Jake", "J.C."),1 born September 9th, 1914 in Emmet, AR,2 3 4 5 was a Negro league baseball player.

Biography

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Freeman was the son of Jonah Freeman and Annie (nee Donelison) Freeman and grew up in Emmet, AR and Little Rock, AR.6

Freeman, a right-handed pitcher, played with the Little Rock Stars in 1933, and the Dubisson Tigers from about 1933-1937. In 1938, it was reported that he had signed with the New York Black Yankees.7 However, it's not apparent that he made the team, and instead played with New York's Wellington Dukes alongside Little Rock native Fred Spearman in 1938 and 1940.8 9 10 11 In 1940, Freeman played with the Norwalk Black Crusaders.12

In 1940 Freeman was living with Charles Spearman Sr. and Charles Spearman Jr. and working as an elevator operator.13

Freeman was a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.14

Freeman died on September 22nd, 1993 and was buried in Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, NY.15

Excerpts

"Jake Freeman, stellar right-hander left Monday night for New York where he will join the "Black Yankees."16
1 Freeman's given name is given as "Joseph C." in mother's obituary in the Arkansas Gazette, 10/27/1991
2 Freeman's WWII draft card. This record mentions Charles Spearman.
7 Chicago Defender, 4/23/1938
11 New Amsterdam News, 8/24/1940, p.14
14 Markings on Freeman's grave marker, accessed at GraveLocator.cem.va.gov.
16 Chicago Defender, 4/23/1938