Negro American League Jacksonville Red Caps Instrumental On, Off the Field

August 9, 2019
2 mins read
Jacksonville Red Caps in 1941

Icons of America’s pastime such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig have laced their cleats up at present day J. P. Small Park on Jacksonville’s Northside. What if we told you they’re not the biggest sports heroes to round the bases, though? Now, the Prime Osborn Convention Center is the birthplace of many of the Bold City’s networking and business dreams. In 1937, the then-railroad-station was the unassuming birthplace of one of the boldest, most influential stories in the First Coast’s extensive sports history. Employed as Pullman porters and tending to sleeper cars for the passengers coming in and out of the Jacksonville Terminal, our heroes sported an infamous red cap. This uniform accessory would go on to be the origin of the Jacksonville Red Caps, the city’s pride of the Negro American League. 

Even more impactful than the stint that the porters played in the birth of the Red Caps, is the fact that Pullman porters, nationwide, helped create what is known today as the first African- American labor union. The group was the first African-American labor group to finalize a collective bargaining agreement with a major corporation, according to The Smithsonian. 

With that being said — PLAY BALL!

Jax Red Caps, All Aboard! Negro American League Jacksonville Red Caps Instrumental On, Off the Field

Starting in 1938, the Red Caps took the field in Durkeeville at Barr’s Field for the first time, playing a 7-game season in year one. After their first season in Jacksonville, the Red Caps took a vacation to Cleveland for two years, before returning home to their roots for the 1941 and 1942 seasons.

The team’s brief vacation in Cleveland led to the team finishing with 20 and 18 wins in respective years. The relocated Jacksonville club actually had its two best seasons in Ohio, ironically enough. Monikered as the Bears, they would return to the sunshine, regardless of the wins. We’ve never seen a bear in Cleveland, but perhaps that’s part of the reason the Red Caps returned to Jacksonville so quickly.

1941 Jax Red Caps, All Aboard! Negro American League Jacksonville Red Caps Instrumental On, Off the Field
Jacksonville Red Caps in 1941

After the return, the Red Caps played two full seasons in Jacksonville in the NAL, and as an independent club in 1944. Their franchise record is cemented at 75-100-2 (.423), not counting their four-game season (0-4) after leaving the NAL. 

Herbert Barnhill, the last known surviving Red Cap member who passed away in 2004, is believed to have had some strong theories regarding the NAL and their crowds. Barnhill, long after retirement, is on record according to multiple outlets regarding the attendance. Barnhill insisted that NAL games were forbidden from being scheduled on the same day in the same city  as MLB games, due to the discrepancy in crowds, in which the NAL venues outpaced those of Major League Baseball.

While the Red Caps are no longer rounding third, their legacy is still palpable in the city. The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp hosted a tribute to the historic club on July 13th at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Former NAL players James Sanders was present for the ceremonies which also included the current roster honoring those before them with replica ball caps from the 40’s.

Clayton is the Content Director of Feud Sports, EU Jacksonville's sports department. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Clayton lives and breathes regional athletics. For inquiries or feature opportunities, follow Clayton and the Feud Sports team on Twitter or Facebook.

Current Issue

Recent Posts

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

Blackberry Smoke at the AMP

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Previous Story

Sports Picks

Thin at Guard, Miami Heat Look to Young Wings to Contribute, Miami Heat NBA Roster Projections, Duncan Robinson
Next Story

NBA Roster Projections: Thin at Guard, Miami Heat Look to Young Wings to Contribute

Latest from Baseball

September Sports Listing

Sept. 1 Jumbo Shrimp vs. Norfolk Tides 121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville Sept. 2 Run Jax Labor Day 5K 1st Place Sports–Baymeadows 1stplacesports.com Sept. 7 Vestcor 5K Bridges Run Water Street at Prime Osborn Convention Center 1stplacesports.com Pirate Race Ed Austin Regional Park runsignup.com   Sept. 8 The

This Sh*t Is (Savannah) Bananas!

Why the Savannah Bananas are the greatest show in sports and why more teams should take notes Words by Carmen Macri Everything you knew about baseball has turned on its head with the Savannah Bananas, and as their marketing director Kara Heater put it, “Banana Ball is like nothing you’ve

August Sports Listing

August 1-4 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Lehigh Valley Ironpigs 121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville August 9 Tour De Pain TBD 1stplacesports.com Aug. 10 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs Everbank Stadium jaguars.com August 13-18 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Memphis Redbirds 121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville August 17 Ocean

July 2024 Sports Listing

July 1-3 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Charlotte Knights 121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville July 4 Seacoast Bank Celebration 5K 1st Place Sports-Baymeadows 1stplacesports.com July 13 Jacksonville Sharks vs. Green Bay Blizzard Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena Jaxsharks.com JTC Running Mile Festival The Bolles School 1stplacesports.com July 19-21 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Durham

May Sports Listing

May 1 Jacksonville Icemen vs. Florida Everblades VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena jacksonvilleicemen.com Note:  Jacksonville Icemen May dates TBD pending playoff results     May 1-5 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Wilkes Barre Rail Riders 121 Financial Ballpark milb.com/jacksonville      May 4 Clay County Young Life “Hula Hustle” 5K & 1 Mile
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

September Sports Listing

Sept. 1-3 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp v. Charlotte Knights  121 Financial
Bitcoin Jacksonville FL

Why is Jacksonville, FL a Cryptocurrency Hotspot?

Jacksonville, FL has become something of a cryptocurrency hotspot over