2001 Fleer Greats Of The Game Autograph, Ted Radcliffe.
Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe was a remarkable Negro League legend known for his rare ability to star as both a pitcher and a catcher, often excelling in both roles on the same day. Over his long career, he played for numerous teams and became a six-time All-Star, earning his nickname after catching one game of a doubleheader and pitching the other. Like countless other Black players of his era, he was denied the opportunity to play in Major League Baseball because of the color barrier that kept African American players out until Jackie Robinson’s debut in 1947. By the time MLB began integrating, Radcliffe was already in his mid-40s, far past the age for a realistic chance, despite his talent and accomplishments in the Negro Leagues. His career stands as an example of how segregation robbed many great players of the chance to showcase their skills on baseball’s biggest stage.