Interview with George L. Jefferson, May 23, 1981

Interview Summary

George L. "Jeff" Jefferson, born in Oklahoma, was a pitcher in the Negro Leagues. In this interview, he talks about trying out for and signing with the Cleveland Buckeyes, his relationship with team owner Ernie Wright, playing with the Oklahoma City Black Indians, batting against Satchel Paige, playing in Cleveland, the fan attendance at Buckeyes games, League Park and Municipal Stadium, his (Jefferson's) pitching record from 1942 to 1945, playing in Buffalo, New York, pitchers playing other positions, and Sam Jones. He talks about traveling in the South and his reaction to segregation, Birmingham, Alabama, his travel schedule, Quincy Trouppe, training and practice rules, salary and meal money with the Buckeyes and the Minor Leagues, Buck Leonard, catching the ball with two hands instead of one, Goose Tatum, Luke Easter, Josh Gibson, and the difficulty of pitching to the Homestead Grays. Other topics include his (Jefferson's) relationship with Jackie Robinson, Robinson as a baseball player, other black players who could have played in the Majors, the Mexican League, Willie Mays, Elston Howard, Sam Jethroe's speed, Roy Campanella, his (Jefferson's) off-season work in a defense plant during World War II, Larry Doby, Effa Manley, the reaction of Negro League players to Jackie Robinson's signing with Montreal, injuries that Jefferson suffered, the media coverage of Jackie Robinson, playing in Caracas, Venezuela, and his life after baseball.

Interview Keyword

Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Baseball Baseball Commissioner Cleveland Buckeyes Mexican League Oklahoma City Black Indians

Interview LC Subject

Baseball Baseball--United States Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991 Jefferson, George L. Jefferson, George L.--Interviews Negro leagues African Americans

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.