Satchel Paige

Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige (July 7, 1906 – June 8, 1982) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Negro league baseball and Major League Baseball over a career that spanned five decades. A right-handed pitcher, he first played for the semi-professional Mobile Tigers from 1924 to 1926, then began his professional career in 1926 with the Chattanooga Black Lookouts of the Negro Southern League. He became one of the most famous and successful players from the Negro leagues. On town tours across the United States, Paige would sometimes have his infielders sit down behind him and then routinely strike out the side.

At age 42 in 1948, Paige made his Major League Baseball debut for the Cleveland Indians, making him the oldest debutant in National or American League history. He was the first black pitcher to play in the American League and the seventh black player to play in Major League Baseball. He was 59 years old when he played his last major league game, also a record that still stands. His career culminated with his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.