Booker McDaniels
Biography
Mcdaniels' early life is mostly unknown. According to his niece Deborah Mathis, a respected journalist, McDaniel was orphaned at a young age.3 He grew up in Conway County, AR, near the community of Blackwell. At about age 18 in 1931, he married Lavada Myers.4
McDaniels began pitching with the Kansas City Monarchs as early as 1940 and continued to play with the team as late as 1952. He also played in the Mexican League with various teams from 1946-1948, as well as in 1951. From 1949-1950, McDaniels pitched in the Chicago Cubs organization with the Los Angeles Angels. By doing so, he became one of the earliest black players in the Pacific Coast League and the first to play with Los Angeles.5
Excerpts
"The Los Angeles signed the first Negro player in the 47-year history of the club, Booker McDaniels of the Kansas City Monarchs."5
"Booker T. (Cannonball) McDaniels, a former Pacific Coast League and Negro American League pitcher, died in Kansas City, Mo., December 12. He was 62. McDaniels, who said he could throw "harder than four claps of thunder," was signed by the Cubs in 1949 and assigned to Los Angeles. He had an 8-9 record there his first year and [a] 3-4 the next. After drawing his release, he returned to Kansas City and hurled for the Monarchs, a team he had been with earlier. He also had pitched for San Luis Potosi, Vera Cruz and Mexico City in the Mexican League."6
Stats
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.
1. May originally have been "McDaniel," with no "s."
2. 1942 WWII Arkansas Draft Card.
Signature on draft card matches known examples of player's signature. Social Security Death Index gives McDaniels' birthdate as September 13th, 1913.
5. The Sporting News, 6/22/1949, p.21
6. The Sporting News, 1/4/1975, p.47