1952 Mother's Cookies #37, Roy Welmaker ⭐ Negro League Star
A celebration of Black History Month with a salute to Roy Welmaker.
Roy Welmaker, a left-handed pitcher, made his professional baseball debut in 1932, at 19 years-old, with the Atlanta Black Crackers.
Racism that plagued MLB before integration in 1947 deprived Roy Welmaker any chance of playing in the A.L./N.L.
He spent most of his prime playing years with the Homestead Grays, helping make them a dominant team in the Negro League, leading them to 3 Negro League World Series appearances alongside Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard.
He also played in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Mexican Leagues.
During World War II he missed 2 full years to serve in the U.S. Army (1943-45).
He played several years in the Pacific Coast League (PCL), which at the time was considered the "third" major league. He spent time with the San Diego Padres, Hollywood Stars, and Portland Beavers.