Richmond-Lynchburg Giants Negro American Association (1949

This ticket with the rain check still attached is from the Richmond-Lynchburg Giants 1949 season in the Negro American Association (NAA). The Negro American Association league included the following teams:

                     Homestead Grays            (1^st half of season champions)

                     Charlotte Blues

                     Raleigh Tigers

                     Richmond Giants

                     Atlanta Stars

                     Greensboro Red Wings

                     Winston-Salem Pond Giants

The Richmond Giants had a long, successful history in black baseball in the south. They began their franchise history during World War II. Over the years the team played in the:

                     Negro Southern League      (1945)

                     Negro Carolina League       (1946-1947)

                     Negro American Association (1948-1952)

In addition, the Richmond Giants barnstormed all over the south. Some of the Negro League stars that played for the Giants during these years included Garnett Blair, Whit Graves and Walter Johnson. Garnett Blair pitched in the Negro National League for the Homestead Grays from 1942 to 1949. Walter Johnson pitched for the Memphis Red Sox in the Negro American League during the 1944 and 1945 seasons. Whit Graves who also played in the Negro League for the Homestead Grays and Indianapolis Clowns. Graves was the pitching leader of the 1949 Richmond Giants team with a record of 16-1.



To learn more about the Richmond Giants and black baseball in Virginia, please refer to Darrell J. Howard's book Sunday Coming: Black Baseball in Virginia.

Garnett Blair - Richmond Giants