Remembering Rap Dixon

Happy birthday today to longtime Negro Leagues star and onetime Harrisburg Giant outfielder Rap Dixon, who would have turned 124 if he still were with us.

Dixon starts his career in 1922 as a 19-year-old outfielder with the Harrisburg, where he plays through the 1928 season before moving on to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, Hilldale, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Newark, Homestead and, again, Pittsburgh.

Dixon, a .317 lifetime hitter in a career that lasts until 1937, also is the first Black player to homer at Yankee Stadium – a feat he accomplishes on July 5, 1930 while playing for Baltimore.

Dixon narrowly misses election into the Hall of Fame during a special balloting of Negro League players in 2006.

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