Scranton Battling Giants - Negro League Baseball Team
The Battling Giants, established in 1909 was Scranton’s African American professional baseball team owned by Charles Battle (which is where they got the name the "Battling" Giants). Charles Battle was also the owner of Scranton’s only Black-owned hotel-The Newport Hotel, 300 block of Center Street.
The team was managed by one of the first major stars of early Black Baseball History, Clarence “Waxey” Williams, an African-American baseball catcher in the Negro Leagues from Harrisburg, PA. Williams played for the Cuban Giants, the first all-black professional team. He had a 20 year career playing for major teams. Aside from his managerial possession, Williams also played as a catcher for Scranton’s Battling Giants.
"Scranton Battling Giants" letterhead.
The letterhead identifies owner, Charles Battle, as well as "Clarence Williams, Famous Cuban Giants Catcher Manager" at the top. He has handwritten this letter to Mr. Reinhart who owned a Sporting Goods Store in Scranton. Who supplied the team with uniforms. He says, "Please give bearer a pair of shoes and a 1st Baseman’s Glove and Oblige, Respt Charles Battle". As if this letter was not special enough, the "Bearer" was none other than Clarence Williams who probably needed this pass to allow the Sporting Goods retailer to enter his store and buy the glove. He has SIGNED the letter on the back "Clarence Williams, Mgr." This is an interesting look into Scranton’s history as well as the history of segregated baseball and how businesses worked at the time. It looks like the transaction closed. As evidence there is a note that reads, "Chgd May 27/09" on the front as well as "8.10" which may be the amount for the sporting gear.
