| Russell Awkard | |
| Position: | Outfielder |
| Birth Date: | October 7, 1917 |
| Birth Place: | Howard County, Maryland |
| Death Place: | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Bats: | Left |
| Throws: | Right |
| Debutleague: | Negro league baseball |
| Debutyear: | 1940 |
| Debutteam: | New York Cubans |
| Finalyear: | 1941 |
| Finalteam: | Newark Eagles |
| Teams: |
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Russell Alfred Awkard (October 7, 1917 - April 1, 2002) was an American Negro league outfielder in the 1940s.
A native of Howard County, Maryland, Awkard initially played for the Washington Royals,[1] [2] and joined the New York Cubans in 1940. Awkard was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Army's Quartermaster Corps in England, France and Belgium.[2] [3] He was considered to be one of the Negro league's finest players.[4] He was featured in an article in USA Today titled "The Name is Awkard, with one W." in 1993.[5] Prior to his death, he met with Bill Clinton along with other Negro league players arranged by Bob Hieronimus.[6]
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