Negro League History at First Horizon Park
As you walk around First Horizon Park you can get a major lesson in baseball history. Signage and markers throughout the ballpark provide details on the history of baseball in Nashville, from the Nashville Vols, Sulphur Dell, and of course, the Negro Leagues. Take a walk around the stadium with us…
The Negro Leagues
Located behind the iconic guitar scoreboard and on the outfield pathway at First Horizon Park is a timeline of baseball history in Nashville, including the pivotal role the city played in the development of the Negro Leagues.
Thomas T. Wilson’s Nashville Standard Giants were the city’s first black semi-professional team and became a member of the Negro Southern League. They eventually were renamed to the Nashville Elite Giants before moving to Baltimore where they played in the Negro National League.
During Sulphur Dell’s storied history, local stars such as Norman “Turkey” Stearnes, Clinton “Butch” McCord, Henry Kimbro and Sidney Bunch, were joined by the likes of Satchel Paige, Roy Campanella, Hank Aaron and Nashville’s own Jim “Junior” Gilliam.
In 1932, the Negro Southern League Championship was played at Sulphur Dell and featured the Nashville Elite Giants and the American Giants out of Chicago.
Thomas T. Wilson
One of the most important people in Nashville baseball history is Thomas T. Wilson and is featured outside of Club Suite 16 at First Horizon Park. Wilson chartered the semi-professional Nashville Standard Giants in 1920. The Negro League club then gained entry into the Negro National League in 1931 and was renamed the Nashville Elite Giants.
Wilson also later served as secretary and president of the Negro Southern League and as vice chair, secretary and president of the Negro National League. Wilson was instrumental in the building of Wilson Park, an 8,000 seat stadium in the middle of Nashville’s largest black community, a facility which was also used by the Nashville Vols.
Nashville Elite Giants
The Nashville Elite Giants are featured in Club Suite 2 at First Horizon Park. Businessman and sportsman Thomas T. Wilson chartered the semi-professional Nashville Standard Giants, a Negro League club in 1920.
In 1931, his team gained entry into the Negro National League and was later renamed the Nashville Elite Giants. Nashville was home for the Elite Giants from 1931 through 1934. The team played its home games at Wilson Park, which was located in Trimble Bottom, just north of the fairgrounds.
Sammy Hughes
Featured outside of Club Suite 12 is Sammy Hughes. Considered one of the best second baseman in the history of the Negro Leagues, Hughes played for the Nashville Elite Giants in 1933 and 1934. He went on to play 12 years in the Negro Leagues.
Prior to his final year of baseball in 1946, Hughes spent three years in the services from 1943–1945.
Junior Gilliam
Jim “Junior” Gilliam is honored both inside and outside of First Horizon Park. Nashville’s native son, Gilliam was dubbed “Junior” by his teammates during his time in the Negro Leagues. Gilliam went on to play for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers and took over at second base when Jackie Robinson moved to other positions.
Gilliam garnered several awards during his playing days, including the 1953 National League Rookie of the Year. He was a two-time All-Star and won four World Series titles. Gilliam attended Pearl High School in Nashville until leaving during his senior year to pursue his professional baseball dream. When patrons walk into First Horizon Park’s Home Plate Gate, they enter off Junior Gilliam Way.
Norman “Turkey” Stearnes
Located on the first base side concourse near Sections 123 and 124 is a standing plaque to honor Hall-of-Famer Norman “Turkey” Stearnes who made his Negro League debut with the Nashville Standard Giants in 1920, just 19 years after he was born in Nashville. Stearnes attended Pearl High School and is the only native Tennessean in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Stearnes would go on to become one of the most feared hitters in the Negro Leagues and twice hit over .400. He played in several Negro Leagues All-Star games during his 20-year career. Stearnes passed away in 1979 and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran’s Committee in 2000.
Butch McCord
Featured on the concourse outside of Sections 107 and 108 at First Horizon Park is Butch McCord. McCord attended nearby Tennessee State University and went on to play 11 seasons of professional baseball.
McCord played for the Negro League Nashville Cubs and the Nashville Black Vols. A longtime Sounds fan after his playing days, McCord was a season ticket holder until he passed away in 2011.
Make sure to arrive early when you make the trip to First Horizon Park to learn more about the history of baseball in Nashville. There are facts just about everywhere!
