Andre Rodgers---1957
Columbus cruised by the Bahamas.
The famous Pirate Blackbeard (and
he wasn't from Pittsburgh) once ruled
the Island of Nassau. But Andre
Rodgers was the King of the
Bahamas Ballfields.
A talented cricket player, Andre
Rodgers paid his way to a Giants
spring tryout in taking his first steps
to becoming the first Bahamian to
play in the major leagues. Incredibly,
his 1957 card notes that Rodgers
had never even seen a baseball until
1952! The shortstop would go on to
enjoy an 11-year career in the big
leagues with the Giants, Cubs and
Pirates.
Rodgers' success helped popularize
the sport of baseball in the Bahamas
druing the 1960’s, paving the way for
four more big leaguers: Tony Curry
(1960-66, Philadelphia & Cleveland);
Wenty Ford (1973, Atlanta); Ed
Armbrister (1973-77, Cincinnati) and
Wil Culmer (1983, Cleveland).
A tip of the hat to Andre; because it’s
not easy being a trail blazer while
also trying to learn to hit a curve ball.
(8/118/10)
The famous Pirate Blackbeard (and
he wasn't from Pittsburgh) once ruled
the Island of Nassau. But Andre
Rodgers was the King of the
Bahamas Ballfields.
A talented cricket player, Andre
Rodgers paid his way to a Giants
spring tryout in taking his first steps
to becoming the first Bahamian to
play in the major leagues. Incredibly,
his 1957 card notes that Rodgers
had never even seen a baseball until
1952! The shortstop would go on to
enjoy an 11-year career in the big
leagues with the Giants, Cubs and
Pirates.
Rodgers' success helped popularize
the sport of baseball in the Bahamas
druing the 1960’s, paving the way for
four more big leaguers: Tony Curry
(1960-66, Philadelphia & Cleveland);
Wenty Ford (1973, Atlanta); Ed
Armbrister (1973-77, Cincinnati) and
Wil Culmer (1983, Cleveland).
A tip of the hat to Andre; because it’s
not easy being a trail blazer while
also trying to learn to hit a curve ball.
(8/118/10)
