The Woman Who Replaced Hammerin' Hank Aaron

BELIEVE IT! Toni Stone played  second base in the Negro Leagues, replacing a young prospect whose contract had been sold to the Milwaukee Braves, one Henry Aaron. 

    Some people have wondered whether a woman could play professional baseball against men, and in recent years a few players have done so:  Eri Yoshida and Ila Borders come to mind. But it's not really a new phenomenon. 

     Back in 1952, the Indianapolis Clowns were a professional baseball team in the Negro American League.  As their name implies, they were partly sports and partly entertainment, a little like the basketball Harlem Globetrotters.  However, they were serious enough about baseball to play well enough to to win  Pennant, led by a star shortstop named Henry Aaron.   The shortstop caught the attention of the Major Leagues, and it wasn't long before he was signed by the Milwaukee Braves.  

   So who replaced Henry Aaron on the Clowns?  Believe it or not, Henry was replaced by Toni Stone, a young woman who had played on men's semi-pro teams as a teenager.  It was mor0e than a gimmick, as she hit a respectable batting average (.243) including a hit against the legendary Satchel Paige.   Her contract was eventually sold to the Kansas City Monarchs

    Nor was Toni the only female player and maybe not the best.  Mamie "Peanut" Johnson managed win with 33 games versus 8 defeats for the Clowns.  She was joined by Connie Morgan, who like Toni played second base.  She is shown below with former Negro League star Jackie Robinson.

Second Lieutenant Jackie Robinson gives a few batting tips to Connie Morgan of the Indianapolis Clowns.  

    I remember years ago, someone asked Hammerin' Hank if he thought a woman would ever play Major League Baseball, and he replied that he thought a woman might be able to play second base.  I thought that was a curious comment...until now I can put two and two together and know that three women actually did play baseball in the Negro Leagues.  

LeBron James, the Next NBA Player Coach?

Would LeBron Agree to be the Player Coach of the Cavaliers?  I think they should find out, and Tyronn Lue is on his way out anyway.  

     I believe LeBron is gone from Cleveland and hated owner Dan Gilbert.  He can get any amount of money he wants from any team in the NBA, so I don't really care who he signs with.  If there is any chance of keeping him in Cleveland I would do it.  But we don't have that great of a team to offer him.  Kevin Love and Larry Nance Junior are okay, but not superstars like Durant or Hardin or guys like that.  But what if we made him the Player Coach?  Maybe that would be appealing enough that he might consider it.   

   There have been several player coaches in the NBA, with Bill Russell being by far the most successful, winning two world championships.  Other notables include Lenny Wilkins, Dave Cowens and Bob Cousy.   

    So why not LeBron?  Lost in his athletic greatness is the fact that he has an incredible basketball mind, with near total recall in breaking down a game that he has just played in.  For that reason, he is incredible to listen to when he is interviewed.  

    Part of the reason that Tyronn Lue is getting criticized is that LeBron had too much power, so no one would listen to the Coach.  That problem gets fixed if LeBron is the Coach.  In any case, Lue could not get his team to play acceptable defense.  Maybe LeBron could exert better control on the players.   

    I think the Cavs' recruiting pbolems are due to uncertainty surrounding LeBron.  If he were definitely going to play, the team should have no problem in recruiting star players to join the team.  That's going to happen as players will descend on Cleveland in the off-season, hoping to have a shot at playing with and for LeBron.  

    What have we got to lose?

     LeBron for Player Coach.  Fire Lue.