Mickey Stubblefield Explained

Mickey Stubblefield
Position:Pitcher
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Birth Date:26 February 1926
Birth Place:Mayfield, Kentucky
Death Place:Smyrna, Georgia
Debutleague:MLB
Debutteam:Kansas City Monarchs
Finalleague:MLB
Finalteam:Kansas City Monarchs
Teams:

Wilker Mickey Stubblefield (February 26, 1926 – February 19, 2013) was a Negro league baseball pitcher. He played one season in the Negro leagues in 1948, as a starting pitcher for the Kansas City Monarchs. He started 2 games for the Monarchs and completed both of them. His nickname was "The Mayfield Mounder."[1]

A native of Mayfield, Kentucky, Stubblefield served in the US Navy during World War II.[2] He was signed as a free agent to the Mayfield Clothiers of the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League in 1952, and was the first "black" player signed to play in the league. Out of safety concerns, Mickey was only allowed to pitch in front of his hometown fans. Stubblefield was later drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates after integration, but never made it to Major League Baseball.[3]

Satchel Paige taught him how to throw his curveball.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilker Stubblefield . https://archive.today/20130411145628/http://paducahsun.com/view/full_story_free/21788528/article-Wilker-Stubblefield?instance=obituaries . dead . 2013-04-11 . The Paducah Sun . 2013-02-27 .
  2. Web site: Negro Leaguers Who Served With The Armed Forces in WWII . baseballinwartime.com . October 7, 2020.
  3. Web site: Mellinger . Sam . Negro Leagues history lost as players pass away – Wire National News . The Sacramento Bee . 2011-07-16 . 2013-02-27 .