Spot Poles

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Spottswood Poles (December 9, 1887 - September 12, 1962) was an American outfielder in baseball's Negro Leagues. Born in Winchester, Virginia, he died at age 74 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He was generally recognized as one of the fastest players of his day. His speed was said to be compared to that of Cool Papa Bell, a star of the Negro Leagues of the 1930's, and Ty Cobb. He was a left-handed batter with a noted eye, who hit for exceptionally high batting averages. He started playing organized Negro ball for the Harrisburg Colored Giants in 1906 and first became a professional for Sol White's Philadelphia Giants in 1909. Poles soon followed White to the New York Lincoln Giants in 1911, where he really blossomed. Statistics for the Negro Leagues are incomplete at best, but records show that Poles attained batting averages of .440, .398, .414, and an incredible .487 in 1914. Poles then spent the next few seasons jumping between the New York Lincoln Stars, Brooklyn Royal Giants, and the Hilldale Daisies. While Spottswood was with the Daisies, he joined the Army infantry to serve during World War I. Poles served his country with honor, earning a Purple Heart, as a sergeant in France. He returned home and continued a successful baseball career with several teams, including the Hellfighters, a team of black former servicemen.

He is credited with a lifetime batting average of over .400, and hit .319 in four winters in Cuba. A tantalizing aspect of his career is his success against white Major League teams. Poles hit an incredible .594 against these "superior" teams, including three straight hits of the great Grover Alexander. Poles spent his post-baseball years as a taxi cab operator and retired comfortably. Because of his Army service, Spottswood Poles was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.