June 8

Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige

Hall of Fame baseball great Satchel Paige died on June 8, 1982 in Kansas City, Missouri at age 75.  Page was the first player from the Negro Leagues to pitch in the World Series during 1948.  He was also the first player from the Negro Leagues to be inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. After a legendary professional career in the Negro Leagues.  Paige was signed as the oldest rookie in Major League baseball history at age 42 with the Cleveland Indians.  Paige also became the oldest player in Major League baseball history at age 59.  He celebrated his birthday by throwing three shutout innings for the Kansas City Athletics.  Many consider Paige to be the greatest pitcher of all times in professional baseball.  The great Joe DiMaggio said of Paige's pitching "the best and fastest pitcher I've ever faced".