https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202209599387715&set=o.12566691349&type=1&theaterMr. Samuel "Bay" Taylor, Sr. Kansas City Monarch 1952-1954 Indianapolis Clowns 1954

Born January 27, 1929, Charleston, MS Ht. 5'6" Wt. 195 Batted and Threw Right

Samuel T. Taylor is a black living legend of The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. He was inducted August 11-13, 1999. The banquet was entitled, "For the Love of the Game: Reunion-Recognition-Celebration of the Negro League Players. The sponsors were Edward W. Stack (Pres. of the Nat'l Baseball Hall of Fame and Muser, INC.), Francis T. Vincent, Jr. (Commissioner with Major League Baseball), Walter W. Sessoms (Senior Vice President with SBT- Regulatory and External Affairs), Hank Aaron, Joe Black, Pamela Pryor Fuller, Joe Garagiola, Bill Builfoile, Rich Levin, Hon. John Lewis, Hon. Zell Miller and Delores Gallego with Delta Air Lines. Few people had heard of Samuel T. Taylor, Sr. before he was inducted into the baseball hall of fame.

In His Own Words

"I started my career in baseball as a back catcher with the East St. Louis White Sox under the management of Marion Stallings". "I was scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1951 and would have been signed to a contract, but because I was a black man, the players refused to let me dress out and take practice." "The players would not enter onto the field." "Also, the Milwauke Braves promised me a contract until I asked for a bonus." Black players did not get bonuses." "So, I was denied." "I played in the Negro League with such teams as The Kansas City Monarchs (1952, 1953, and1954) and The Indianapolis Clowns in 1954." "I played with The East St. Louis teams such as the Sixth Street Stars, Giants, Colts, Midgets and The Metropolitan All Stars." " I also played with the Brooklyn Robins and the St. Louis Rams." "When I played on the East St. Louis teams each year, I was voted as the MVP of The All Star Classic."

"I had the privilege of playing with players that went on to the Major League." "Those players were Ted Savage, Hank Aaron, Erine Banks, Marshall Bridgetts and Franceco Herrea." "I met and made acquaintance with Satchel, Paige, Oscar Charleston, Hank Thomas and Lou Brock." "I also played with the first lady to play professional baseball, Mrs. Tony Stone." "She was a black lady." "The main player of all was Mr. John (Buck) O'Neal, the manager of the Kansas City Monarchs." "Before his death on October 6, 2006, he was the Chairman of The Negro League Museum in Kansas City, MO."

"I traveled and played in the Eastern and Mid-American States." "My most memorable game was played in Clinton, Iowa." "During that game I was playing center field and was running to catch a hard hit ball that seem to be going out of the park." "As I ran to catch this ball, I tripped over what I thought was a large stick or a baseball bat." "However, I got up and continued chasing the ball." " Later, when checking to see what I stumbled over, I was amazed to see it was a large snake (8 inches in circumference and 7 ft long)." "I was lucky and thankful that I was not bitten. Law officers were called and two huge snakes were found on the field." "I definitely learn to look before I leap."

"In recent times since my retirement, I have had the privilege to meet with Major League players like Lee Smith, Ozzie Smith, Craig Wilson, Ray Langford, Bryant Jordan and Tom Perrinozzi." In 1992, I threw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game, I signed autographs during the 2009 All-Star Baseball Weekend and most recently at the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals Care Warm Up Weekend."

"My desire is for all young people to be thankful to the people that suffered to make it possible for them to be able to make their own decisions on what they choose as their careers. You can make a difference."