A Gray day on the island

The reigning Negro National League champion Homestead Grays travel 82 years ago yesterday to Harrisburg’s City Island, where they beat the Birmingham Black Barons 4-2.‍

The Monday night game attracts a crowd of 2,500 to the island, according to published accounts in the Harrisburg Telegraph.

Leading the Grays are pitchers Wild Bill Boone and Long Don Johnson, who combine on a five-hitter, while first baseman and future Hall of Famer Buck Leonard hits a solo homer to center field.

Leonard’s homer reportedly travels 370 feet.

Catching for the Grays is Josh Gibson, another future Hall of Famer who goes 0-for-3 in this game before finishing the league’s 42-game season in 1944 with league highs in homers with 10 and runs batted in with 50

(Special thanks to Harrisburg Senators broadcaster Frankie Vernouski for contributing this post)

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