Negro American League (1937-1962)

Tombstone

Formed: February 20-21, 1937
Disbanded: 1962*

*In 1949, the NAL absorbed four teams from the Negro National League II and continued on as a minor league until 1962.

First Games: May 8, 1937 (Chicago American Giants @ Memphis Red Sox, Detroit Stars @ Cincinnati Tigers, Kansas City Monarchs @ Birmingham Black Barons)1Formation of Negro American League, Center for Negro League Baseball Research
Final Game: 
August 26, 1962 (East 5 vs. West 2,  All-Star Game @ Kansas City, MO)2Doron Goldman, “1933-1962: The Business Meetings of Negro League Baseball,” Society For American Baseball Research

Seasons: 26
States: AL, FL,. GA. IL. LA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NY, OH, PA, TX

Leadership

Trophy Case

Background

The Negro American League (NAL) was formed in 1937. This gave the country two major league-level Negro leagues. The second Negro National League (NNL II) had formed back in 1933. Starting in 1948, the Negro World Series was revived, this time pitting the winner of the NAL against the NNL II. The original series, played between 1924 and 1927, was contested between the original Negro National League and the Eastern Colored League.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color line in Major League Baseball (MLB). As more black ball players were signed to MLB rosters, the NAL and NNL II began to suffer. 1948 was the last major league season for both circuits. The NAL continued on but was designated a minor league beginning with the 1949 season.

Former members of the NAL II, the Baltimore Elite Giants, New York Cubans, and Philadelphia Stars, joined the NAL. The Newark Eagles, also former members of the NAL II joined as well but moved to Houston before the start of the 1949 season.

Over the years, membership dwindled as more and more black ball players joined teams in the American and National Leagues. The NAL’s last season was 1962. It finished with just four teams.

Our Favorite Gear

Negro american League Jerseys

When it comes to high-quality replica jerseys, turn to Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable baseball jerseys, including those for the second Negro American League teams, as well as other Negro Leagues teams. T-Shirts and caps too!
  • Free Customization Included
  • Each jersey individually handmade
  • Any name and number
  • Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters
  • 100% polyester
  • Heavyweight fabric made to game standards
Honor the memory of the great Nego Leagues ball players in great apparel from Royal Retros

Negro American League Franchise List

FRANCHISEYEARS ACTIVEPENNANTSNEGRO LEAGUE WORLD SERIES
Atlanta Black Crackers1938
Baltimore Elite Giants1949-19511949
Birmingham Black Barons1937-1938, 1940-19621943, 1944, 1948, 1958
Chicago American Giants1937-1952
Cincinnati Clowns1943
Cincinnati Tigers1937
Cincinnati-Cleveland Buckeyes1942
Cincinnati-Indianapolis Clowns1944-1945
Cleveland Bears1939-1940
Cleveland Buckeyes1943-1948, 19501945, 19471945
Detroit Clowns1958
Detroit Stars1937
Detroit Stars1954-1957, 19591956
Detroit-New Orleans Stars1960
Houston Eagles1949-1950
Indianapolis ABCs1939
Indianapolis Clowns1946-19541950*, 1951,1952, 1954
Indianapolis Crawfords1940
Jacksonville Red Caps1938, 1941-1942
Kansas City Monarchs1937-19621937, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1946, 1950*,1953, 1955, 19571942
Louisville Buckeyes1949
Louisville Clippers1954
Memphis Red Sox1937-19591938
Mobile Havana Cuban Giants1957
New Orleans Crescent Stars1957
New Orleans Eagles1951
New Orleans-St. Louis Stars1940-1941
New York Cubans1949-1950
Newark Indians1959
Philadelphia Stars1949-1952
Raleigh Tigers1959-1962
St. Louis Stars1937
Toledo Crawfords1939
Toldeo-Indianapolis Crawfords1940

 

 

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