James R. "Biz" Mackey, Negro League Player

James Raleigh “Biz” Mackey was born in July 1897 in Eagle Pass, Texas and grew up hoeing rows for cotton in nearby Luling. He was a South Texas Negro League Player who played 2 years in the minor league in San Antonio starting in 1918. He went to play for a series national Negro League teams between 1920 and 1947, He played various positions including Catcher, Shortstop and Pitcher. In addition to playing, he also had an opportunity to manage the Newark Eagles, leading them to a 1946 Colored World Series Championship. Mackey is known as the greatest defensive catcher of all time. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of fame in 2006.