House of David w/ Satchel Paige Benton Harbor, Michigan (1934)

This ticket is from a game played in the House of David Baseball Park in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The game was played on Sunday, October 14, 1934. The game featured the Negro League pitching great Satchel Paige. Paige and his battery mate Cy Perkins had joined the House of David baseball team from the Pittsburgh Crawfords (Negro National League) to play in the prestigious Denver Post Tournament. The House of David religious Colony did not permit Afro-Americans to join their order, but it didn’t stop them from hiring the “best” pitcher in baseball to play for their baseball team. Paige would win three games in five days in the tournament and the House of David would become Denver Post Tournament Champions. This tournament also caused the “white” press to stand up and really take notice of Satchel Paige for the first time.

House of David - Team Photo

The House of David baseball team was founded as a barnstorming team sponsored by the House of David religious colony in 1915. The team was based in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The 1934 House of David team was managed by former Major League great and National Baseball Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander. During the 1934 season, the House of David played 212 games and posted a won-loss record of 165-47. The House of David played a regular barnstorming schedule from 1915 to 1956. Over the years, they were one of the top draws in baseball.

To learn more about the House of David baseball team, please refer to the following books:

Images of America – The House of David Baseball Team  by Joel Hawkins and Terry Bertolino

Baseballs’ Bearded Boys by Don Gitersonke

Satchel Paige and Dizzy Dean