First Black to Pitch a Perfect Game, in York (1903)

 

106th anniversary approaching...

Game account

McClellan's Great Pitching.

Not One Penn Park Batsman Reached First Base

    McClellan, Manager Lamar's dusky south-paw pitcher established a new record for the Cuban X-Giants when he shut out the Penn Park team with out a run or a hit. Even more remarkable than this is the fact that Penn Park did not get a man on first base in the entire nine innings of the game. Just twenty-seven batsmen faced McClellan and although he did not strike very many of them out the perfect support he was given made it possible for McClellan to receive the credit for the greatest exhibition of pitching ever seen in York. The fielding of several members of the Giants' team was even more phenomenal than that of the day before. Hill duplicated his trick of Thursday by jumping into the air several feet pulling down a high bounding grounder and retiring the runner at first. On another occasion he handled a fast grounder close to the third base line and by a perfect throw caught the runner a foot from the bag. Johnson's fielding at short was of the same character. Twice he went into the outfield for high flys and in the ninth inning he made a one-handed stop and quick throw of Lipp's hard grounder, which under ordinary circumstances would have been a base hit.
    The home team played a clever game in the field. Hilbert was in the box and he pitched good ball in all but two innings, the fourth and fifth, when the Giants secured all their runs and then of their thirteen hits. He fielded his position in fine style and this was really one of the features of the game. The fielding of Becker Legan and Clay was firstclass.
    Bob Sturgeon umpired the game and not one kick was made. The attendance was about 300.
[full score follows]
The Gazette York, PA July 18, 1903

Related: Penn Park Perfection 		Dan McClellan 1907
1907 Photo
Photo by Dick Clark, from the Negro Leagues Book, 1994 SABR
Dan McClellan became the first black to pitch a perfect game, in July 1903 in York, PA. at Penn Park field.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 June 2009 )
 
Perfection at Penn Park by Dave Gulden
Perfection at Penn Park

There is much good that can be derived from York celebrating its black history with the preservation of the property, memory and history of businessman William Goodridge.

But what of the other efforts of people of color who have contributed to York’s history? I know of a perfect candidate for inclusion in future plans for acknowledging other aspects of local black history.

Just over 105 years ago, at a baseball stadium in the area of Penn Park’s south end, the first perfect game pitched by a black American earned York a spot in the annals of history and the national pastime. Pitcher Dan McCllelan and his Cuban X Giants teammates defeated the York Penn Park team on July 17, 1903.

I feel that the feat is worthy of recognition with a marker such as those erected by the Pennsylvania State Historical Commission.

There are several markers in York pertaining to area firsts. There is a First Thanksgiving plaque next to the Market St. garage. But aren’t there several other communities that make that claim? I know there’s a York the First Capitol plaque somewhere. That idea has been widely scoffed at or disputed by those more educated than me. Don’t get me started on the York Fair being the first fair.

The achievement of McClellan and his teammates is indisputable. It is mentioned by a number of sources as the first perfect game by a man and team of color. In a community that touts the first this and the first that, I continue to be perplexed by the lack of awareness of an event of such magnitude.

I am hoping to gather the necessary information needed to fill out an application for a state historical commission marker. If that does not happen, perhaps interest can be generated locally.

Guldendev.com has built this site, oldyorkbaseball.com, commemorating the first perfect game by a black American and other aspects of old York, Pennsylvania baseball.

I hope community support in this venture is forthcoming. If your company or organization would like to be a sponsor, please contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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According to the Negro League Baseball Museum "e-Museum" (in Kansas City, Missouri)

"One of the best pitchers during the first decade of the century, Dan McClellan pitched the first perfect game in black baseball history in 1903 while hurling for the Cuban X-Giants, the most dominant team of that time, against York, Pennsylvania, of the Tri-State League, facing only 27 batters."

Last Updated ( Thursday, 25 June 2009 )
 
McClellan's other visits

Dan McClellan made several appearances in York before the perfect game of 1903. He played in several 1902 games as a pitcher and out-fielder as a Cuban X Giant. On June 17 Penn Park lost 13-12 in ten innings. The Giants scored 6 runs in one inning. McClellan had two hits, including a double.

On June 18 the X-Giants defeated the Penn Park team 11 to 2. McClellan had one hit in the third inning and one assist while playing in right field.

On June 20, 1902 the Cuban X Giants again played a York team, this time the Y.M.C.A., at their Richland Avenue field. The Y.M.C.A. won the game 9 to 7. McClellan played in center field and on the mound. He had two hits, one a home run and five strikeouts.

There were other games that Dan McClellan played in prior to the perfect game of 1903 that will be added in time. Sources: The Gazette of June 18, 19, 21 1902,

Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 June 2009 )