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Andrew "Rube" Foster 18791930 Baseball player and owner
Moving to Chicago in 1906, Foster played for and managed the Leland Giants, guiding them to 110 wins and 10 losses in 1907 and 126 wins and 6 losses in 1910.
In 1911, in partnership with white saloonkeeper John Schorling, he founded the Chicago American Giants, which became one of the greatest teams in black baseball history. Player, manager, and owner, Foster insisted that his team play smart baseballfast and aggressive with bunts, steals, hit-and-runs and crafty pitchingwhich made white baseball seem very sedate. He led his team to Negro League championships in 1914, 1915, and 1917. The Chicago American Giants played at Schorlings Park, located here at 39th Street and Wentworth Avenue. The Chicago White Sox also played here before moving to Comiskey Park.
In 1920 Foster created the Negro National League with several other owners. The NNL placed black baseball on a solid footing and gained Foster the reputation of being the father of black baseball. His Giants won pennants in 1920, 1921, and 1922. The NNL thrived until 1930, the year of Fosters death. In 1981 Rube Foster was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.