After Robinson’s historic 1947 debut, Paige made his Major League debut at age 42 in 1948 for the Cleveland Indians. Paige’s record that year was 6-1 with three complete games pitched. Paige made his historic World Series run in game 5 against the Atlanta Braves.
Amazingly, Paige pitched for a few more years and played his final professional game at the age of 59 in 1965. Paige continued to pitch semi-pro for a few more years, despite being in his sixties.
Major League Baseball honored Paige by inducting him into its Hall Of Fame in 1971. The honor was well-deserved as baseball legends like fellow Negro Leagues star Cool Papa Bell and Joe DiMaggio called Paige the greatest pitcher they ever faced. Despite the fact Paige only had one style of pitch, he was considered the hardest thrower the game ever seen.
Whenever he was asked about his age and the fact he played well past his prime years, he would answer, “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”
Paige died at the age of 75 in 1982.
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Little Known Black History Fact: Satchel Paige was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
