About this episode
Gail Nobles discusses the life and career of William John Owens in the context of Negro league baseball.
Story by: Gail Nobles Cover Illus.by : Gail Nobles Hello, I’m Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to Owensy. We're here to talk about the fascinating life of William John Owens, a name that perhaps doesn't ring the bells as loud as some others in baseball history. Born on November 14, 1901, Owens carved out a niche for himself as a shortstop in the Negro leagues, that vibrant and resilient world of baseball that deserves every bit of our attention! Let’s start with the Washington Potomacs. They were a team that represented the spirit of the 1920s, an era of vibrant jazz and indomitable talent. Baseball was played with passion, and these fellows had it in spades! The Potomacs started as an independent team in 1923 and quickly made a name for themselves in the Eastern Colored League in 1924. But hold on! In 1925, they shifted gears and became the Wilmington Potomacs after moving to Delaware. Yet, the challenges of the times caught up with them, and by the middle of July, they had to fold their hats and call it a season, scattering their players like autumn leaves in a brisk wind. Now, let’s talk about where Will Owens ultimately hung his cap—the Detroit Stars. A team that was…
People in this episode
Host: Gail Nobles
Topics covered
- Negro leagues
- baseball history
- Washington Potomacs
- Detroit Stars
- William John Owens
- Turkey Stearnes
- 1920s sports
Keywords
- William John Owens
- Negro leagues
- Washington Potomacs
- Detroit Stars
- Turkey Stearnes
- baseball history
- 1920s
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Washington Potomacs, Wilmington Potomacs, Detroit Stars
Places: Delaware, Mack Park
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