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'''Louis Sockalexis''' (b. ], ] on ] ], ]; d. ], ], in ]) was a was a ] and the first ] ] player. His career with the ] team, the ], lasted three years. '''Louis Francis "Chief" Sockalexis''' (], ]-], ]), nicknamed ''The Deerfoot of the Diamond'', was an ] ] player. Sockalexis played ] in the ] for three ]; and, he spent his entire career (]-]) as an ] for the ].
A ] from the ] tribe, Sockalexis is often identified as the first person of Native American ancestry to play major league baseball <!--there is a deference between major league baseball and MLB-->. Many conflicting reports exist. In some cases, ], a ] in the early ], is identified as the first person with Native American ancestry to play major league baseball.<ref name=reliquary>{{cite web | title = The Story of Louis Sockalexis | work=baseballreliquary.com | url= http://www.baseballreliquary.org/story_of_sockalexis.htm | accessdate=2007-07-07}}</ref> Also, ], who played in the early 1920s, is noted as the first full-blooded American Indian to have played in the ].<ref name="yellowhorseauction">{{cite web| title = Photo Auction | url=http://www.lelands.com/bid.aspx?lot=682&auctionid=704 | accessdate = 2007-05-29}}</ref>


== Early life ==
Sockalexis became a rising baseball star in Maine in his teens. He attended the ] and excelled in ], ], and ]. In the ] season, Sockalexis posted a .436 ] and posted .444 in ]. Handsome and popular, Sockalexis was the school's star athlete. His games attracted large crowds and "Sock," as he was called, was the most sought-after college ballplayer in the country.
Louis Sockalexis was born on the Penobscot Indian reservation near ] in ].
His grandfather was Chief of the Bear Clan.<ref name=maine>{{cite web | title=Louis Sockalexis | work=maine.com | url=http://people.maine.com/publius/almanac/encycweb/htm/soclalex.htm | accessdate=2007-07-07}}</ref> In his youth, Sockalexis' athletic talents were very noticeable. It was reported that Sockalexis could throw a baseball across the ] from Indian Island to the shore of Old Town.<ref name=maine /> Additionally, it is said that Sockalexis and his father entertained crowds at the ] by playing catch across the entire track.<ref name=maine />


After completing his ], Sockalexis began his ] career in ] at the ].<ref name=maine /> While there, he participated on the school's ], ], and ] teams.<ref name=deadspin>{{cite web | title=Before Chief Wahoo | work=deadspin.com | url=http://deadspin.com/sports/college-basketball/holy-cross-crusaders-243249.php | accessdate=2007-07-07}}</ref> Sockalexis spent those summers playing baseball in the Trolley League along the coast of Maine.<ref name=maine /> After the end of the 1895-96 baseball season, the Holy Cross baseball coach accepted a position at the ] in February, ]. When that happened, Sockalexis decided to transfer to Notre Dame.<ref name=ndbio>{{cite web | title=First Cleveland Indian was a Domer first | work=nd.edu | url=http://www.nd.edu/~ndmag/w2000_01/clevew00.html | accessdate=2007-07-07}}</ref> In his two season at Holy Cross, Sockalexis compiled a .444 ].<ref name=maine />
Louis Sockalexis transferred to the ] in December, ] but in early March ], was expelled for drinking and destroying a local brothel after the madam refused to provide her services to a "red man."


In 1897, the Notre Dame baseball team played an exhibition game against the ] at the ].<ref name=ndbio /> In a sign of things to come, Sockalexis had to deal with taunts, ], and insulting chants during the game.<ref name=maine /> At the same time, ] in attendance insulted a delegation of Pensobscots who had come from Old Town to watch the game.<ref name=maine />
On March 9, 1897, Sockalexis signed a major league contract with the Cleveland Spiders. In his first three months, he posted a .338 batting average. Sockalexis generated great enthusiasm among ] sportswriters and fans with his spectacular plays in right field, speedy base-stealing and powerful hitting at the plate. Sockalexis hit only three major league home runs but each one was dramatic in the deadball era.


], a future member of the ], pitched that day for the Giants; and, before the game, Rusie had promised to strike out Sockalexis.<ref name=maine /> Things did not go well for Rusie as Sockalexis hit a ] off of Rusie's the first pitch.<ref name=maine />
Fifty years before ] faced derision and abuse as the first ] in the majors, Sockalexis endured hostile crowds and racial taunting as the first ]. In Cleveland as well as other cities, crowds and opposing ballplayers jeered and showered him with abuse, but as Robinson did in his rookie year with the ] ], Sockalexis displayed restraint and dignity and soon won favor with his exciting plays on the field.


However, Sockalexis' career at Notre Dame was short. In an event that foreshadowed future problems, the University expelled Sockalexis not long after he arrived for his problems with alcohol.<ref name=blbio>{{cite web | title=Baseball Library Bio | work=baseballlibrary.com | url=http://www.baseballlibrary.com/ballplayers/player.php?name=Lou_Sockalexis_1871 | accessdate=2007-07-07}}</ref> Although he played exclusively as an outfielder in the majors, Sockalexis played outfield and ] while at Notre Dame and Holy Cross.<ref name=deadspin />
From his college days, Sockalexis had developed a drinking habit that worsened in Cleveland. By July 1897, his heavy drinking led to a literal fall from stardom when he suffered a leg injury after jumping from the second story of a brothel. After the injury, he never regained his speed in the field and saw only limited playing time in ] and ]. In 1899 he was released from the team.


== Professional career ==
After leaving Cleveland, Sockalexis signed with various ] in ]. He finished the 1899 season under the careful management of former batting star ]. Without the pressures of national fame and racist abuse, Sockalexis excited the smaller crowds with a display of his former skills in clutch hitting and game-winning home runs. Unfortunately, Sockalexis's ] had become so severe that he drifted as a vagrant for three years and was arrested several times.
⚫ ]
On ], 1897, Sockalexis signed a major league contract with the ]. Just a month later, on ], Sockalexis made his major league debut. Just a few months after he was expelled from school, his drinking problems resurfaced. On ], 1897, Sockalexis, in an inebriated condition, jumped from the second-story window of a ]. He severely injured his ankle in the fall.<ref name=blbio /> Eventually, the injury affected his play. In the five games after the injury, he had nine ] in 18 ]s.<ref name=blbio /> However, his fielding was not very good. From ] until ], Sockalexis played in just one game. In that game, he committed two errors.<ref name=blbio /> In his first season with the Spiders, Sockalexis hit for a .338 batting average with three home runs and 42 RBIs. In 66 games that season, Sockalexis also had 16 ]s.


Burdened by his ],<ref name=maine /> Sockalexis played just two more seasons of ]. In 1899, the Spiders released Sockalexis. He finished his career in the minor leagues and in ], Sockalexis returned to Indian Island to coach juvenile teams.<ref name=maine /> Five players who he coached went on to play in the ]. However, his baseball career ended for good in ].<ref name=blbio />.
In ], Sockalexis signed with the ] (see photo) and "spiked himself to the water cart" as the saying went. He played a complete season and posted a .288 batting average. By ], he had gone back to Indian Island and regained sobriety. He ran a ferry across the Penobscot River in the summer months and worked as a logger in the winter.


== Later life and legacy ==
In his last years, Sockalexis was able to share his talent with the people of Maine. He organized and coached a team of Penobscot youths, five of whom went on to the ]. Crowds came to watch him umpire games for the Maine Leagues, and he was widely respected for his accurate calls and extensive knowledge of the rules. His friends recalled him for his quiet dignity, generosity and humor.


In his later years, Sockalexis suffered from ] and heart trouble.<ref name=maine /> On ], ], Sockalexis died in ].
Sockalexis developed numerous health problems and died prematurely of heart failure at age 42 while working in a logging camp.


Although Sockalexis had a brief career, during his time in professional baseball, he faced many non-tangible obstacles. It was reported that fans of the opposing teams often shouted racial slurs toward him due to his Penobscot heritage. Additionally, fans imitated war whoops and war dances in his presence.<ref name=reliquary /> Later, when sports journalists attributed his rapid decline to alcoholism, they identified the disease as the inherent "Indian weakness".<ref name=reliquary />
In ], baseball writer ] named ], an early ] catcher as the first ] in the majors. However, in January, ], Sockalexis biographer Ed Rice obtained Toy's death certificate which listed Toy's ethnicity as ], supporting the claim that Louis Sockalexis was indeed the first Native American Major League ballplayer.


Recently there has been controversy over the name of the ] and their mascot, Chief Wahoo. Although the "Indians" nickname dates back to Sockalexis' rookie season with the Spiders in 1897, the official name for the current ] team was selected by Cleveland sportswriters, not from a fan contest as numerous sources claim in ]. Sockalexis had died two years earlier but there was no mention of him in the announcements. Newspaper cartoons of that era, as well as the team's current Chief Wahoo mascot, were and continue to be racially offensive to some and bear no resemblance to Louis Sockalexis. For many years, people believed that when the ] changed their name to the Indians in ], the franchise did so to honor Sockalexis. However, Cleveland sports writers selected the new name, not members of the franchise.<ref name=ndbio /> Sockalexis had died two years earlier but there was no mention of him in the announcements.


In recognition of his accomplishments, the ] elected Sockalexis. He was joined by his second cousin, marathon runner Andrew Sockalexis. Andrew Sockalexis finished in second place during the ] and ] ]s and in fourth place at the ] in ].
Sources:<p>1. ] by Ed Rice (Tidemark Press, 2003)
<p>2. ] by ] (McFarland & Company, 2002]]
] article by Francis Hatch in "Downeast Magazine," 1963


==External links== == References ==
<div class="references-small">
*
<references />
* on Find A Grave site
</div>


== External links ==
⚫ {{DEFAULTSORT:Sockalexis, Louis}}
* {{baseball-reference|id=s/sockach01}}

{{Persondata
|NAME = Chief Sockalexis
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Lou Sockalexis, Lou Sockalexis
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = ] ] ]
|DATE OF BIRTH = ], ]
|PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ]
|DATE OF DEATH = ], ]
|PLACE OF DEATH = ], ]
}}

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Revision as of 06:32, 7 July 2007

Template:Mlbretired

Louis Francis "Chief" Sockalexis (October 24, 1871-December 24, 1913), nicknamed The Deerfoot of the Diamond, was an American baseball player. Sockalexis played professional baseball in the National League for three seasons; and, he spent his entire career (1897-1899) as an outfielder for the Cleveland Spiders. A Native American from the Penobscot tribe, Sockalexis is often identified as the first person of Native American ancestry to play major league baseball . Many conflicting reports exist. In some cases, Jim Toy, a catcher in the early American Association, is identified as the first person with Native American ancestry to play major league baseball. Also, Chief Yellow Horse, who played in the early 1920s, is noted as the first full-blooded American Indian to have played in the Major Leagues.

Early life

Louis Sockalexis was born on the Penobscot Indian reservation near Old Town, Maine in 1871. His grandfather was Chief of the Bear Clan. In his youth, Sockalexis' athletic talents were very noticeable. It was reported that Sockalexis could throw a baseball across the Penobscot River from Indian Island to the shore of Old Town. Additionally, it is said that Sockalexis and his father entertained crowds at the Bangor Race Track by playing catch across the entire track.

After completing his secondary education, Sockalexis began his college career in 1884 at the College of the Holy Cross. While there, he participated on the school's baseball, football, and track teams. Sockalexis spent those summers playing baseball in the Trolley League along the coast of Maine. After the end of the 1895-96 baseball season, the Holy Cross baseball coach accepted a position at the University of Notre Dame in February, 1897. When that happened, Sockalexis decided to transfer to Notre Dame. In his two season at Holy Cross, Sockalexis compiled a .444 batting average.

In 1897, the Notre Dame baseball team played an exhibition game against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds. In a sign of things to come, Sockalexis had to deal with taunts, racism, and insulting chants during the game. At the same time, sports writers in attendance insulted a delegation of Pensobscots who had come from Old Town to watch the game.

Amos Rusie, a future member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, pitched that day for the Giants; and, before the game, Rusie had promised to strike out Sockalexis. Things did not go well for Rusie as Sockalexis hit a home run off of Rusie's the first pitch.

However, Sockalexis' career at Notre Dame was short. In an event that foreshadowed future problems, the University expelled Sockalexis not long after he arrived for his problems with alcohol. Although he played exclusively as an outfielder in the majors, Sockalexis played outfield and pitcher while at Notre Dame and Holy Cross.

Professional career

Louis Sockalexis

On March 9, 1897, Sockalexis signed a major league contract with the Cleveland Spiders. Just a month later, on April 22, Sockalexis made his major league debut. Just a few months after he was expelled from school, his drinking problems resurfaced. On July 4, 1897, Sockalexis, in an inebriated condition, jumped from the second-story window of a brothel. He severely injured his ankle in the fall. Eventually, the injury affected his play. In the five games after the injury, he had nine hits in 18 at bats. However, his fielding was not very good. From July 25 until September 12, Sockalexis played in just one game. In that game, he committed two errors. In his first season with the Spiders, Sockalexis hit for a .338 batting average with three home runs and 42 RBIs. In 66 games that season, Sockalexis also had 16 stolen bases.

Burdened by his alcoholism, Sockalexis played just two more seasons of major league baseball. In 1899, the Spiders released Sockalexis. He finished his career in the minor leagues and in 1901, Sockalexis returned to Indian Island to coach juvenile teams. Five players who he coached went on to play in the New England League. However, his baseball career ended for good in 1903..

Later life and legacy

In his later years, Sockalexis suffered from Tuberculosis and heart trouble. On Christmas Eve, 1913, Sockalexis died in Burlington, Maine.

Although Sockalexis had a brief career, during his time in professional baseball, he faced many non-tangible obstacles. It was reported that fans of the opposing teams often shouted racial slurs toward him due to his Penobscot heritage. Additionally, fans imitated war whoops and war dances in his presence. Later, when sports journalists attributed his rapid decline to alcoholism, they identified the disease as the inherent "Indian weakness".

For many years, people believed that when the Cleveland Naps changed their name to the Indians in 1915 in baseball, the franchise did so to honor Sockalexis. However, Cleveland sports writers selected the new name, not members of the franchise. Sockalexis had died two years earlier but there was no mention of him in the announcements.

In recognition of his accomplishments, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame elected Sockalexis. He was joined by his second cousin, marathon runner Andrew Sockalexis. Andrew Sockalexis finished in second place during the 1912 and 1913 Boston Marathons and in fourth place at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm.

References

  1. ^ "The Story of Louis Sockalexis". baseballreliquary.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  2. "Photo Auction". Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  3. ^ "Louis Sockalexis". maine.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  4. ^ "Before Chief Wahoo". deadspin.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  5. ^ "First Cleveland Indian was a Domer first". nd.edu. Retrieved 2007-07-07.
  6. ^ "Baseball Library Bio". baseballlibrary.com. Retrieved 2007-07-07.

External links

Template:Persondata

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