Silas Simmons

Silas Joseph Simmons (October 14, 1895[1][2][3] – October 29, 2006[4]) was an American semi-professional and professional baseball player for African-American teams in the pre-Negro leagues era, and became the longest-lived professional baseball player in history. The previous record was held by Red Hoff, who died at age 107 in 1998.

Silas Simmons
Simmons in 1913
Pitcher / Outfielder
Born: (1895-10-14)October 14, 1895
Middletown, Delaware
Died: October 29, 2006(2006-10-29) (aged 111)
St. Petersburg, Florida
Batted: Left Threw: Left
debut
1913, for the Homestead Grays
Last appearance
1929, for the Cuban Stars
Teams

Early life

Simmons was born in Middletown, Delaware.

Career

Simmons was a five-foot-ten, left-handed pitcher/outfielder, and began playing for the Germantown Blue Ribbons, a semi-pro team, in 1911.[2] In 1913, the Blue Ribbons became a professional team and were renamed the Homestead Grays, a team that quickly became a Negro leagues powerhouse.

In 1926, Simmons pitched for the New York Lincoln Giants of the Eastern Colored League and appeared in at least one game in 1929 for the New York-based Cuban Stars (East) of the Negro National League.[2] During his career, Simmons played on the same team as Hall of Famer Pop Lloyd and against Hall of Famers Judy Johnson and Biz Mackey.[3] Simmons ended his baseball career soon after 1929.[2]

Personal life

Simmons was married in Philadelphia by Rev. John L. Lee on September 15, 1915 to Mary L. "Mamie" Smith (July 19, 1896 – ca. 1944).[5][1] He and his wife Mary had five children[1] and settled into life as a porter.

He later became an assistant manager at Rosenbaum's Department Store in Plainfield, New Jersey. After 29 years of marriage Mamie died ca. 1944.

In 1957, Simmons married his second wife, Rebecca Jones (1901 – August 20, 1997).

Simmons worked for R. J. Goerke Co. during the early 1960s, and was among the employees to receive an award for safety.[6][7]

In 1971, he retired to St. Petersburg, Florida.[1] After 40 years of marriage, Rebecca died at the age of 96 in 1997.[1]

Rediscovery and death

In the fall of 2005, a genealogist at the New England Historic Genealogical Society alerted fellow baseball historians associated with the Negro leagues, who proceeded to interview this link to early baseball. In May 2006, Dr. Layton Revel — founder of Texas-based Center for Negro League Baseball Research — met and interviewed Simmons.[2][3]

Revel also organized a 111th birthday celebration for Simmons, in 2006, which included approximately 30 former Negro leagues players from around Florida. A plaque was presented to Simmons on his birthday on behalf of the Society for American Baseball Research. Simmons was also presented a team jersey with number "111" from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.[4]

Simmons died 15 days later at the Westminster Suncoast Nursing Home in St. Petersburg, having outlived all five of his children.[4] At the time of his death Simmons had nine grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren.

Simmons is also one of the two known professional athletes to have been born in the 19th century and died in the 21st century, the other being Karl Swanson (1900-2002).

See also

References
  1. Moore, Waveney Ann (October 10–13, 2001). "Man's 106 years full of pride, love, baseball". Neighborhood Times, A Twice-Weekly Section of Tampa Bay Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. p. 6.
  2. Carter, Andrew (October 10, 2006). "OLDEST OLD-TIMER ON TOP OF HIS GAME". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. pp. A1, A10.
  3. Schwarz, Alan (September 26, 2006). "Baseball's Oldest Old-Timer Opens a Window on the Past". The New York Times. St. Petersburg, Florida.
  4. Schwarz, Alan (November 1, 2006). "Silas Simmons, 111, Veteran of Baseball's Negro Leagues, Is Dead". The New York Times.
  5. "MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 17, 1915. p. 7.
  6. "Store Employes Visit United Fund Agencies". The Courier-News. Bridgewater, New Jersey. September 23, 1961. p. 11.
  7. "SAFETY AWARD". The Courier-News. Bridgewater, New Jersey. October 9, 1964. p. 14.
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