Today, April 15th, Terriers Baseball is
paying homage to Jackie Robinson, the first black player to cross the color
barrier. Robinson paved the way for the countless others that eventually played
the game professionally.
During the late 40’s and early 50’s after the color barrier was lifted by professional baseball, many ex-Negro League players travelled to Canada to join various leagues and teams across the country. They were welcomed with open arms, and fit in comfortably with their new surroundings. They were extremely talented players, who were drawing cards throughout the leagues in which they performed.
A number of the players came to Galt Ontario,“now Cambridge” and played for the Galt Terriers of the Sr. Inter-County Baseball League at Dickson Park. Players included Ed Steele, a long time star outfielder with the Birmingham Black Barons who played right field, alongside of 18 year old Willie Mays that went on to stardom with the New York and San Francisco Giants. Jeep Jessup and Mel Duncan were also teammates with the famous Leroy "Satchell" Paige.
The present-day Terriers elite program played most home games at Dickson Park for their first 5 years of operation, and derived their name from the historic team of yesteryear.
The ten former Negro League players, their years playing for The Galt Terriers and their former teams:
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Ed Steele
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1953-1954
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Birmingham Black Barons
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Gentry “Jeep” Jessup
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1953-1955
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Birmingham & Chicago American Giants
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Sonny Andrews
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1955
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Toledo Cubs
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Luther “Shanty” Clifford
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1958-1959
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Homestead Grays & KC Monarchs
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Mel Duncan
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1954-1955
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Detroit Stars KC Monarchs
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Bernell “Chic” Longest
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1955
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Chicago American Giants
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Jeff Shelton
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1949
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Buffalo Harlem Giants & St. Louis Stars
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Steve Enloe Wylie
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1953
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Memphis Red Sox & KC Monarchs
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Othello Strong
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1953
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Chicago American Giants
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Dan “Thumper” Jackson
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1958
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Homestead Grays
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* Picture - Ex-Negro League players Ed Steele (standing) and Gentry “Jeep” Jessup (sitting) pictured here with The Galt Terriers circa 1953