Negro National League II (NNL II) (1933-1948)
The combination of the sudden death of founder, Rube Foster, and the devastating effects of the Great Depression led to the shuttering of the Negro National League I in 1931. Sensing the void, eager competitors looked to takeover. In stepped businessman Gus Greenlee, who first entered baseball by purchasing the Pittsburgh Crawfords in 1931. The team was reinvigorated under Greenlee's stewardship, becoming a top team for several years. In 1932, he built the famous Greenlee Field, one of the few Black-owned and built baseball fields, which served as the home field for both the Crawfords and the Homestead Grays. Greenlee cemented his legacy by founding the second Negro National League (NNL II).
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1932
Formation of the East-West League
Created by Cum Posey, the owner of the Homestead Grays, this short-lived league quickly folded within the year.24
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April 29, 1932 - December 1938
Greenlee Field
Owned by Pittsburgh Crawford owner, Gus Greenlee, and built by Black architect, Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger, this was one of the only Black-owned and built fields, serving the Crawfords and the Homestead Grays. It was a multi-sport venue that could seat up to 15,000 fans. In 1938, it was torn down to build the Bedford Dwelling housing projects.25
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1933-1948
Formation of the Negro National League II (NNL II)
Established by Greenlee, this league was a bit more chaotic than its predecessor, featuring an erratic schedule that saw teams play an unequal amount of games each season. In the 1940s, they held the Negro World Series. Despite the talented players, financial mismanagement, disputed records, and primarily the integration in the MLB would lead to its collapse in 1948.26
Original 7 teams were- Baltimore Black Sox
- Chicago American Giants
- Columbus Blue Birds
- Indianapolis ABCs
- Homestead Grays
- Nashville Elite Giants
- Pittsburgh Crawfords
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September 10, 1933
1st East-West All-Star game at Comiskey Park
Gus Greenlee developed this game, which featured the Negro National League II (East) vs Negro American League (West). The West routed the East 11-7. At least 10 players and a manager would later be inducted into MLB's Hall of Fame.27
Individuals from that game that were inducted into the Hall of Fame28- Andy Cooper
- Pop Lloyd
- Turkey Stearnes
- Willie Wells
- Mule Suttles
- Bill Foster
- Oscar Charleston
- Cool Papa Bell
- Biz Mackey
- Jud Wilson
- Judy Johnson
- Satchel Paige
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1942
Return of the Negro World Series
Originally played during the first NNL, from 1924-1927, this popular post-season game returned during the second iteration. Perennial post-season teams included the Homestead Grays and Birmingham Black Barons. The 1942 game saw the Kansas City Monarchs sweep the Homestead Grays 4-0.29
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1945
Jackie Robinson played for Kansas City Monarchs
He played only one season in the Negro Leagues before being acquired by the Montreal Royals, earning a .387 batting average in 45 games.30
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March 1946 - July 1946
Formation of West Coast Negro Baseball Association
The president was Abe Saperstein, the founder of the Harlem Globetrotters. The Oakland Larks would continue barnstorming after the end of the association.
This short term league had 6 teams31- Los Angeles White Sox
- Oakland Larks
- Portland Rosebuds
- San Diego Tigers
- San Francisco Sea Lions
- Seattle Steelheads
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September 26, 1948 - October 5, 1948
Final Negro World Series
The Homestead Grays defeated the Birmingham Black Barons 4-1. The Black press did little to promote the series, focusing instead on the upcoming major league World Series, where Larry Doby and Satchel Paige of the Cleveland Indians would beat the Boston Braves. The press barely printed box scores for these games. This series featured Buck Leonard and Willie Mays.32