There weren’t many Negro League teams that were able to span over 30 years of operation, but the Memphis Red Sox were one of them. Owned by two brothers/dentists, Dr. J.B. Martin and Dr. B.B. Martin, the Red Sox weren’t goliaths of the Negro Leagues, but they did have their high points.
In 1937, the Memphis Red Sox were one of eight founding members of the Negro American League, and the following year they were on the cusp of achieving the franchise’s first league title. They had secured the Negro American League first-half championship with a record of 21-4, and were scheduled to play a series against the Atlanta Black Crackers, the second-half champions, to determine who would take home the title of league champion. The Red Sox won their first two games against the Black Crackers, but unfortunately for Memphis, the two teams would not play again, as a clash between Red Sox and Black Crackers management prevented them from finishing the series.
Though the Red Sox were never known for fielding titans of the game, they did send four players to the Major Leagues, including pitchers Dan Bankhead, Jehosie Heard and Marshall Bridges, who played for the Dodgers, Orioles and Cardinals, respectively, and first baseman Bob Boyd, who played for the White Sox and Orioles. Other Memphis Red Sox who were said to have Major League potential included Verdell Mathis, Marlin Carter, Joe Scott, Frank Pearson and Charley Pride, who would achieve fame as a country western singer.
The Memphis Red Sox were never the most heralded bunch, but three decades of Negro League baseball was still a major victory that very few teams could claim.
New York Black Yankees:
The New York Black Yankees' franchise was basically an extension of the New York Lincoln Giants, filling a void created when the Lincoln Giants folded operations after the 1930 season. In 1931 John Henry Lloyd managed an interim New York team, the Harlem Stars, which served as a bridge between the two longtime franchises.
In 1932 the New York Black Yankees began operation, with George Scales installed as manager. In 1936 the Black Yankees entered the Negro National League for the second half, finishing with an 8-7 league ledger, and for the next dozen seasons (1937-1948) the Black Yankees fielded a team in the Negro National League. But rather than dominating their league, as did their white counterparts (the New York Yankees), they were the doormats of the Negro National League, usually finishing in the cellar and never higher than fifth in a six team league.