Two popular amusements at the turn of the twentieth century—staged locomotive collisions and baseball—came together in the life of Crush Holloway. As the story goes, Holloway’s father went to see the Crash at Crush, only to be informed at the event that his wife had gone into labor. He named his son, born the next day, after the train collision, and the child would go on to a successful career as a baseball player in the Negro Leagues. Though debated, it’s likely that “Crush” was the name the ballplayer received at birth rather than earned during his career.

Crush Christopher Columbus Holloway was born the eldest son of Thomas and Dora Holloway in Hillsboro, Texas, on September 16, 1896. The family moved just outside of Waco near Downsville when Holloway was a young boy. Holloway’s father was a teacher and cotton farmer. As the first son, Holloway felt the brunt of his family’s life as cotton farmers and, as a result, developed a strong dislike for the work. Baseball proved an escape. Holloway frequented sandlots around town on Sundays to play games until dusk, and during the week he worked on his swing using a broomstick and pebbles. The boy idolized players like John Franklin “Home Run” Baker and Ty Cobb. When not playing ball or working in the cotton fields, Holloway likely attended the Mt. Pleasant School in Downsville.

Holloway desired to leave Waco, and baseball eventually served as his ticket. Though he was drafted and wanted to serve in World War I, the conflict ended before he could do so. In 1919, a local businessman approached Holloway to join the Waco Black Navigators. However, the Black Navigators struggled in their inaugural season in the Texas Colored League. When they moved to San Antonio and became the Black Aces, Holloway followed. After playing alongside future Hall of Famer Biz Mackey in Waco and San Antonio, Holloway received the invitation to join him in the Negro National League and play for the Indianapolis ABCs in 1921. Holloway changed from second base to left field, and during his first season he batted a laudable .323. His aggressive base running with sharpened cleats earned him both fear and admiration from fellow players. By the end of his three seasons with the ABCs, Holloway earned a modest $150/month—approximately $2,300 today. Likely a salary dispute propelled Holloway to move to the Baltimore Black Sox in 1924.

Holloway spent the majority of his professional career in Baltimore, and he chose to return there after his retirement. For eight years he played in the Black Sox outfield. Over that time, he batted a solid .274. The Black Sox also regularly played against the white International League Baltimore Orioles, proving competitive, sometimes even superior. Sent to the Hilldale Daisies in 1929, Holloway spent the latter half of his career bouncing from club to club with stints on the Detroit Stars and Newark Eagles. Additionally, Holloway barnstormed in the offseason throughout his career. He retired in 1937 and settled in Baltimore. He worked odd jobs and eventually opened a tailor shop with Buelah, his wife since 1921. In the 1940s and 50s, to supplement his income, Holloway umpired local black baseball games and was a member of the Negro Professional Umpires Association. His love of baseball remained throughout his life.

Crush Holloway died in Baltimore from cancer on June 24, 1972. Though he fell into popular obscurity, baseball enthusiasts, scholars, and players kept Holloway’s memory alive. He enjoyed a statistically average career but made an impression through his base running. Holloway embodied the quick, assertive, and daring play that characterized much of black baseball. He, like so many other black players, excelled despite segregation and helped change the sport. Crush Holloway took his game from the cotton fields of Waco all the way to the big leagues.

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Known throughout the nation for his pitching prowess, Andy Cooper made a name for himself at a time when segregation placed limits on black baseball.

Now known as the nation’s pastime, baseball has captivated Americans since the early nineteenth century. But prior to the 1940s, blacks could not play in either of the major leagues or their respective farm systems. African Americans instead formed their own teams and eventually created their own leagues. The Negro National League (NNL), formed in 1920, lasted until 1931 and was soon followed by the Negro American League in 1937. Andrew “Andy” Lewis Cooper had a successful career in both of these leagues, playing for both Detroit and Kansas City.

Born in Waco in 1898, Cooper grew up in the city and attended A. J. Moore High School and Paul Quinn College. The date of his birth is often debated, since his draft certificate states that he was born in 1897, while his birth certificate reads 1898.

Cooper first played for the Dallas Black Giants in 1919 before making the jump to Detroit. He made his debut with the Detroit Stars in 1920 and played for them until 1927, after which he was traded to the Kansas City Monarchs. Known as one of the best pitchers in baseball, Cooper was traded for five players. He played one season with the Monarchs before rejoining the Stars in 1930. In 1931, he returned to the Monarchs and continued to play there until 1939.

Cooper was known as one of the best pitchers in baseball and was recognized for his absolute control over every one of his pitches, including a fastball, curveball, and screwball. His knowledge of batters’ weaknesses gave him one of the best records in the business. Cooper eventually transitioned from a starter to a successful relief pitcher. By the end of his playing career he posted a 116-57 record and held the NNL record for saves with 29. Cooper became player manager of the Monarchs in 1937, when they joined the Negro American League, and by 1940 he had led Kansas City to three championships. Cooper’s last appearance as a player in 1939 was with the Monarchs.

Andy Cooper did not always play in a Negro league. During the early twentieth century, many African American ballplayers turned to barnstorming—the practice of traveling around the world to play exhibition matches—instead of professional baseball. In 1927, financial difficulties led to pay cuts in Negro baseball and a contract-jumping ban was put in place to prevent players from switching leagues or leaving their team. Cooper decided to test the ban by joining the Philadelphia Royal Giants, a traveling team. His first barnstorming trip took him as far as Japan and Honolulu. When he returned to the NNL, he was assessed a thirty-day suspension and a $200 fine for contract-jumping. Cooper’s second barnstorming trip occurred during the off-season while the Monarchs played in an independent league following the dissolution of the NNL. That trip took him to Japan, the Philippines, Korea, and China.

Cooper continued to coach Kansas City until 1941, when he suffered a stroke during the preseason. He went home to Waco to recover but died from a heart attack on June 3rd of that year. He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in East Waco.

Cooper died only a few years before the beginning of the integration of baseball with the signing of Jackie Robinson by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946. Although he never saw integration, Cooper left a lasting legacy on the sport, eventually recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2006, a special committee selected Andrew Cooper and several other African American players for induction into the Hall of Fame, ensuring that his legacy as a phenomenal player, smart manager, and inspiring mentor continues on.

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