Russell Awkard
American baseball player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Russell Alfred Awkard (October 7, 1917 – April 1, 2002) was an American Negro league outfielder in the 1940s.
| Russell Awkard | |
|---|---|
| |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: October 7, 1917 Howard County, Maryland, U.S. | |
| Died: April 1, 2002 (aged 84) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| Negro league baseball debut | |
| 1940, for the New York Cubans | |
| Last appearance | |
| 1941, for the Newark Eagles | |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
|
A native of Howard County, Maryland, Awkard initially played for the Washington Royals,[1][2] and joined the New York Cubans in 1940. Awkard was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Army's Quartermaster Corps in England, France and Belgium.[2][3] He was considered to be one of the Negro league's finest players.[according to whom?][4] He was featured in an article in USA Today titled "The Name is Awkard, with one W." in 1993.[5] Prior to his death, he met with Bill Clinton along with other Negro league players arranged by Bob Hieronimus.[6]
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