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Mr. Charlie "Whip" Davis

1927 - 2016

Charlie “Whip” Davis was born in Fort Valley in 1927. 


        While working in Atlanta at a textile mill in 1947, black and white baseball teams played each other every 4th of July. Charlie played for the Birmingham Black Barons until 1950, when he was traded to the Memphis Red Sox. Charlie played in the east-west all-star game at Chicago Michigan Park. He pitched second to Satchel Paige in the 1953 East-West All Star Game.


         He also played in all-star games against Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson and Larry Dolby, to name a few. He earned the name "whip" from Charlie Pride. He later managed the Rockdale Rawhides. In 2008, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in a Special MLB Draft for Former Negro League Baseball Players.  Mr. Davis died on March 17, 2016.

  



"Buddy"

Eddie  Solomon  


Feb. 9, 1951 

~

 Jan. 12, 1986

          Eddie was born and raised in Houston County, GA. He was a Major League Baseball Player.    For ten seasons (1973 to 1982), he was a Pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago White Sox.


            He was signed as an amateur free agent by the Dodgers in 1969 and marked his Major League debut with Los Los Angeles on September 2nd, 1973; he pitched in 4 games that year. The following season (1974), he appeared in 4 games with the Dodgers’ squad which went on to capture the National League Pennant. He

secured a spot within the Braves’ rotation in 1977 and saw his games pitched and innings statistics increase.


            However, it would be while the Pirates when he experienced his most success. In 1980, he yielded an impressive 2.69 ERA in 26 games, as he split time between Pittsburgh's starting rotation and bullpen. In 1981, he produced a career-high 8 victories. He was acquired by the White Sox during the middle of the 1982 season and appeared in only 6 games that year with Chicago.


           In 191 regular seasons games, he compiled a 36-win 42 loss record with a lifetime 4.00 ERA in 718 innings pitched. After retiring from baseball, he worked as an automobile salesman in Macon Georgia. Ironically, his death was the result of an automobile accident.             


                                                                                                                           (bio by C.S.)

ANDERSON GILBERT


          The A’s was a semi-pro baseball team from Houston County. 

 The Coach was  Mr. Voy Lee Heath (April 15, 1941-Oct 9, 2001).  This photo was published in the Houston Home Journal on May 3, 1979.  The article mentioned the below members of 

The A’s baseball team:


Jerry Clarington

Lawrence Clarington

E. Harmon

Lee Watkins

F. Lane

Anderson Gilbert

N. Tharpe

Jr. Small

E. King

W. West

J. Brown

D. Small

J. Scott

Hall


If you can provide any further Information regarding this team please contact Houston County Black Heritage Society.

ARCHIE SANDERS

        Archie was a right-hand pitcher for Perry High School. This photo was taken on April 12, 1979 with regards to the win against Harris County High School.


         Archie,  scattered six hits and his panther teammates rapped a dozen hits.  Sanders, fanned ten and walked only one, chalking up his second win of the season against one loss.  With Sanders in total control, the Harris County Bobcats left only four men on base the entire game and managed their only run in the 6th inning - via a walk, two singles and a stolen base.




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