1958 Birmingham Black Barons

The 1958 Birmingham Black Barons were the Birmingham Black Barons team which represented Birmingham in the four-team Negro American League in 1958. The club, which finished last, was managed by James Canady, in his fifth season.

The team's roster included pitchers Bennington, Billingsley, John Britton, Joseph Elliot, Finely, Elijah Gilliam, Griffin, Wiley Griggs, James Goss, Willie Hill, Johnson, Stan Jones, Willie Scruggs, Tommy Taylor, Willie Smith and Phil "Smut" Welch; catcher Otha Bailey, infielders Jesse Bass, Sonny Bragg, James "Sap" Ivory, and Bobby Sanders; and outfielders Willie "Red" Harris, Brown Jackson, John Mitchell, and John Williams.

John Williams led the league in hitting with a .357 average while Sanders' five home runs put him in a tie for second for most in the league. Pitcher Willie Smith's 2.67 earned run average was the team's best and third best in the league.

References

• "Rosters – Negro American League (1958-1962)". Center for Negro League Baseball Research
• "Demise of the Negro Leagues". Center for Negro League Baseball Research