Johnny Ritchey

Biography

John Franklin Ritchey (January 5, 1923 – January 14, 2003) was an American professional baseball catcher. Ritchey is recognized as one of the first African American men to play Minor League Baseball in the twentieth century, as he won batting titles in both the Negro leagues and Minor Leagues. Moreover, he was the first black player to perform in the Pacific Coast League in 32 years, when pitcher Jimmy Claxton passed as part Native American in 1916. Even though Ritchey never sought any laurels for integrating the PCL, he is commemorated with a bronze bust in Petco Park.

Explore Wikipedia contributors ↗