Loading...
 

Little Rock Grays (1931-1932)

The Little Rock Grays, also referred to as the Little Rock Greys, were a Negro baseball team based in Little Rock, AR from 1931-1932. The team competed in the Negro Southern League both years. Home games were primarily played at Crump Park in Little Rock, AR. This team should not be confused with the Little Rock Black Travelers, a contemporary independent Negro team based in Little Rock.

History

The Little Rock Grays first appeared in July 1931 under the direction of local black businessman Jesse J. Floyd. Another local Negro team, the Little Rock Black Travelers, had at that time been seeking entry into the Negro Southern League.1 2 However, for unclear reasons, the league franchise was instead awarded to Floyd's Little Rock Grays club, which evidently only played a few league games during the second half of the 1931 season.

In the spring of 1932, the Grays were again admitted to the Negro Southern League.3 Meanwhile, local black mortician Daniel J. Dubisson joined Floyd as a part-owner of the Grays. The first half of the league season began on April 22nd with a series against Monroe, followed by series against Cleveland, Memphis, Louisville, Montgomery, and Knoxville. The Grays performed fairly poorly and fell low in league standings.4 In late June, after a meeting of club owners to discuss various controversies within the Negro Southern League, Little Rock was withdrawn from the league.5 Afterward, the Grays continued to play as an independent team, traveling south into Texas and Mexico during July and August.

In 1933, the Little Rock Stars took the place of the Grays in the Negro Southern League.6

Schedule/Results

DateLocationOpponentW-LRRANotes
7/18/1931Kavanaugh Field, Little Rock, ARNashville Elite GiantsL9107
7/19/1931Kavanaugh Field, Little Rock, ARNashville Elite Giants First Game.8
7/19/1931Kavanaugh Field, Little Rock, ARNashville Elite Giants Second Game.9
8/?/1931Memphis, TNMemphis Red SoxL01210
8/1/1931College Hill Park, Montgomery, ALMontgomery (AL) Grey SoxL1611 12
8/2/1931College Hill Park, Montgomery, ALMontgomery (AL) Grey SoxL13First Game13 14
8/2/1931College Hill Park, Montgomery, ALMontgomery (AL) Grey SoxW75Second Game15 16
8/3/1931College Hill Park, Montgomery, ALMontgomery (AL) Grey SoxL31017 18
8/20/1931Kavanaugh Field, Little Rock, ARChicago American GiantsL01219 , 20
8/23/1931 Little Rock Black TravelersL0221
8/23/1931 Little Rock Black TravelersL2422
8/30/1931Booster Park, North Little Rock, ARLittle Rock Black TravelersL23First game.23
8/30/1931Booster Park, North Little Rock, ARLittle Rock Black TravelersL23Second game.24
1932
4/10/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARLittle Rock Black TravelersW4125
4/15/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, AREvans Undertaking CompanyW231226
4/17/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARLittle Rock Stars 27
4/22/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMonroe (LA) MonarchsL1628
4/23/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMonroe (LA) MonarchsL3629
4/24/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMonroe (LA) MonarchsL615First game.30 , 31 , 32 , 33
4/24/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMonroe (LA) MonarchsL38Second game.34 , 35 , 36 , 37
4/30/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARCleveland (OH) CubsW32,38 , 39 , 40
5/2/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARCleveland (OH) CubsW18441
5/3/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARCleveland (OH) CubsW62First game.42
5/3/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARCleveland (OH) CubsW73Second game.43
5/14/1932Casino Park, Monroe, LAMonroe (LA) MonarchsL1744
5/15/1932Casino Park, Monroe, LAMonroe (LA) MonarchsL16First game.45
5/15/1932Casino Park, Monroe, LAMonroe (LA) MonarchsL28Second game.46
5/16/1932Casino Park, Monroe, LAMonroe (LA) MonarchsL3447
5/22/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARLouisville Black CapsW65First game.48
5/22/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARLouisville Black CapsW32Second game.49
5/28/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMemphis Red SoxW92Second game.50 , 51
5/29/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMemphis Red SoxW6352 , 53
5/30/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMemphis Red Sox First game.54
5/30/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMemphis Red Sox Second game.55
6/4/1932Montgomery, ALMontgomery (AL) Gray SoxL1556 , 57
6/5/1932Montgomery, ALMontgomery (AL) Gray SoxL56First game.58
6/5/1932Montgomery, ALMontgomery (AL) Gray SoxL01Second game.59
6/26/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARBen Harjo's Oklahoma IndiansL14First game.60
6/26/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARBen Harjo's Oklahoma IndiansW41Second game.61
7/3/1932Camden, ARCamden (AR) TigersW7062
7/4/1932Camden, ARCamden (AR) Tigers 63
7/10/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMuskogee (OK) First game.64
7/10/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMuskogee (OK) Second game.65
7/11/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARMuskogee (OK) Second game.66
7/17/1932Mexico City, MXAztecasW9767
8/4/1932Nuevo Laredo, MXLa JuntaW9468
8/6/1932Van Daele Stadium, San Antonio, TXLa Fama AguilarsW10469 , 70
8/7/1932Van Daele Stadium, San Antonio, TXLa Fama AguilarsL2371 , 72
8/7/1932Van Daele Stadium, San Antonio, TXLa Fama AguilarsL3473 , 74
8/15/1932Sam Huston Park, Austin, TXAustin (TX) Black SenatorsL1875
9/18/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARSan Antonio (TX) Black Indians Second game.76
9/18/1932Crump Park, Little Rock, ARSan Antonio (TX) Black Indians First game.77
10/9/1932Casino Park, Monroe, LAMonroe (LA) Monarchs 78
10/10/1932Casino Park, Monroe, LAMonroe (LA) Monarchs 79


Players


1931
PlayerBirthDeathNotes
Cobbs 80
Conway 81
Faison 82
Murray GillespieAbt. 19062/26/1942 in Oakville, TN83
Hawkins 84 , 85
Edgar S. Jackson 86 , 87
Mex JohnsonSeptember 16, 1911 in Little Rock, AR 9/24/2005 in Denver, CO88 , 89
Johnny Johnson 90 , 91 , 92
C. Jones 93 , 94
Red Longley9/7/1909 in Little Rock, AR7/1977 in Memphis, TN95 , 96
Buford Nunley1912 in AR12/5/197997 , 98
Robinson 99
Robertson 100
Sterling Stalsworth3/9/1908 in Sweet Home, AR11/17/1964101
Wilburn 102


1932
PlayerBirthDeathNotes
Clabron "Fox" Blevins6/4/1910 in San Antonio, TX2/14/1986 in Contra Costa, CA 103
Carr 104
Carter 105
Cobbs 106
Coss 107
Everett 108
Faison 109 , 110
Bill Haynes1/25/1902 in Kaufman, TX 9/25/1981 in Kerrville, TX111
Bill Howard 112
Edgar Jackson 113
James 114
Johnson 115
Ruben Jones2/5/1894 in Austin, TX2/14/1970 in Big Spring, TX 116 , 117
Sug Jones9/9/1907 in Dubach, LA 7/27/1982 in Jonesboro, AR118
Rufus Ligon5/6/1903 in Cameron, TX 9/24/1992 in Dunlay, TX 119
Red Longley9/7/1909 in Little Rock, AR7/1977 in Memphis, TN120
Pete McQueen3/26/1909 in Carlisle, AR5/1/1985 in West Seneca, NY121
Buford Nunley2/5/1912 in Des Arc, AR12/5/1979 in South Bend, IN122
Albert Overton10/29/1903 in Austin, TX 11/5/1988 in Galveston, TX123
Robinson/Roberson 124 , 125
Samuel Thomas 126
Thompson 127
Tom Young6/10/1903 in Tatums, OK 128

1 Chicago Defender, 7/4/1931, p.8
2 Arkansas Gazette, 6/28/1931, p.16
3 Chicago Defender, 3/19/1932, p.9
4 Chicago Defender, 6/25/1932, p.8
5 Chicago Defender, 7/9/1932, p.8. It's not clear whether Little Rock was ousted from the league or if Little Rock withdrew voluntarily.
6 It's not entirely clear whether the Little Grays franchise was renamed the Stars or if the the Stars were a separate franchise.
7 Arkansas Gazette, 7/19/1931, p.13
8 Arkansas Gazette, 7/19/1931, p.13
9 Arkansas Gazette, 7/19/1931, p.13
19 Arkansas Gazette, 8/20/1931, p.13
20 Chicago Defender, 9/5/1931, p.9
21 Arkansas Gazette 8/26/1931 p.13
22 Arkansas Gazette 8/26/1931 p.13
23 Arkansas Gazette 8/31/1931 p.9
24 Arkansas Gazette 8/31/1931 p.9
25 Arkansas Gazette, 4/11/1932, p.7
26 Arkansas Gazette, 4/16/1932, p.14
27 Arkansas Gazette, 4/16/1932, p.14
28 Arkansas Gazette, 4/23/1932, p.15
29 Arkansas Gazette, 4/24/1932, p.15
30 Arkansas Gazette, 4/24/1932, p.15
31 Chicago Defender, 5/7/1932, p.8. Little Rock began season 0-4.
32 Chicago Defender, 5/14/1932, p.9
33 Fading of the Greys: Black Baseball and Historical Memory in Little Rock, Thomas Aiello, The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. 65, No. 4
34 Arkansas Gazette, 4/24/1932, p.15
35 Chicago Defender, 5/7/1932, p.8. Little Rock began season 0-4.
36 Chicago Defender, 5/14/1932, p.9
37 Fading of the Greys: Black Baseball and Historical Memory in Little Rock, Thomas Aiello, The Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. 65, No. 4
38 Arkansas Gazette, 4/30/1932, p.16. Article names opponent as "Chicago Memorial Giants." This team played the 1932 season as the "Cleveland Cubs."
39 Arkansas Gazette, 5/3/1932, p.13
40 Chicago Defender, 5/7/1932, p.8. Cristóbal Torriente appeared in this game.
41 Arkansas Gazette, 5/3/1932, p.13
42 Arkansas Gazette, 5/4/1932, p.11
43 Arkansas Gazette, 5/4/1932, p.11
48 Arkansas Gazette, 5/23/1932, p.9
49 Arkansas Gazette, 5/23/1932, p.9
50 Arkansas Gazette, 5/29/1932, p.13
51 Chicago Defender, 6/4/1932, p.8
52 Arkansas Gazette, 5/30/1932, p.9
53 Chicago Defender, 6/4/1932, p.8
54 Arkansas Gazette, 5/30/1932, p.9
55 Arkansas Gazette, 5/30/1932, p.9
56 Arkansas Gazette,6/6/1932, p.7
57 Chicago Defender, 6/11/1932, p.8
58 Chicago Defender, 6/11/1932, p.8
59 Chicago Defender, 6/11/1932, p.8
60 Arkansas Gazette, 6/27/1932, p.7
61 Arkansas Gazette, 6/27/1932, p.7
62 Arkansas Gazette, 7/4/1932, p.6
63 Arkansas Gazette, 7/4/1932, p.6
64 Arkansas Gazette, 7/10/1932, p.11
65 Arkansas Gazette, 7/10/1932, p.11
66 Arkansas Gazette, 7/10/1932, p.11
67 Arkansas Gazette, 7/19/1932, p.8
68 Prensa (San Antonio, TX), 8/6/1932
69 Prensa (San Antonio, TX), 8/6/1932
71 Prensa (San Antonio, TX), 8/6/1932
73 Prensa (San Antonio, TX), 8/6/1932
76 Arkansas Gazette, 9/18/1932, p.13
77 Arkansas Gazette, 9/18/1932, p.13
80 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
82 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
83 Arkansas Gazette, 7/19/1931, p.13
85 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
87 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
89 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
90 Arkansas Gazette, 7/15/1931, p.13
92 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
94 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
96 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
98 Arkansas Gazette, 7/17/1931, p.14
102 Arkansas Gazette, 7/19/1931, p.13
103 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
104 Chicago Defender, 6/4/1932, p.8
105 Arkansas Gazette, 4/30/1932, p.16
106 Chicago Defender, 6/4/1932, p.8
107 Chicago Defender, 6/11/1932, p.8
109 Arkansas Gazette, 4/30/1932, p.16
110 Chicago Defender, 5/7/1932, p.8
111 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
112 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
113 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
116 Arkansas Gazette, 4/22/1932, p.13
117 Chicago Defender, 5/7/1932, p.8
118 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
119 Arkansas Gazette, 4/24/1932, p.15
120 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
121 Arkansas Gazette, 4/22/1932, p.13
122 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
123 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
124 Chicago Defender, 6/4/1932, p.8
126 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11
127 Arkansas Gazette, 4/22/1932, p.13
128 Arkansas Gazette, 4/6/1932, p.11