Satchel Paige

Renowned for his hesitation pitch, hard fastballs and natural charisma, Satchel Paige became one of baseball's ultimate showmen during an astonishing 40-year career in which he paved the way for African-Americans in the Major Leagues. Born Leroy Robert Paige in Mobile, AL, the seventh of twelve children acquired his 'Satchel' nickname due to his childhood spent toting bags at train stations. Paige developed his baseball pitching skills during a six-year stint at reform school and after playing for various semi-pro teams, made his first professional appearance in 1926 for the Chattanooga Black Lookouts. Paige quickly moved through the ranks of the Negro National League teams, and thanks to his unique showmanship and record-breaking strikeout rate, became the most popular and prolific pitcher of his generation. Having racked up over 2500 games for 250 minor league teams all over the country as well as Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, Paige finally achieved his dream in 1948 when he was signed by Cleveland Indians. The oldest player to debut in the Major Leagues at the age of 42, as well as the first African-American pitcher, Paige helped the team to win the World Series in his first season, and later enjoyed a three-year spell with St. Louis Browns where he earned two All-Star Game selections. Paige then returned to his barnstorming days, but made a brief comeback with Kansas City Athletics in 1965 to become the oldest pitcher in Major League history at 59, and three years later served as pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves. Paige, who became the first Negro League star to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971, died of a heart attack at his Kansas City home in 1982.