From Major Taylor to the Major Leagues: Worcester,Bucky Lew,& the Ultimate Integration of Pro Sports
Chris Boucher, author of Harry “Bucky” Lew: A Biography of Basketball’s First Black Professional, will host a thoughtful, interactive discussion about Massachusetts' own Harry “Bucky” Lew and to learn more about how the city's early athletes, team managers, and fans ultimately influenced the full integration of major league sports that came a generation later.
Harry “Bucky” Lew was basketball’s first black professional. In a career that spanned a quarter century, Lew was the first Black player, coach, manager, referee, and franchise owner in the integrated pro game. The Worcester Whirlwind was an early hero of Lew's. He too tried cycling and his hometown paper in Lowell described him as “Harry Lew, the Major Taylor of this city.” Louis Sockalexis, who played baseball at Holy Cross, and became the first Native American to play major league baseball when Lew was a teen, was also a source of inspiration. Lew ultimately chose basketball, and when he signed his first pro contract in 1902, Worcester had a team in the league. The city was the site of more history in 1915 when Lew was awarded a franchise. While he was one of two Lowell men applying for a team, and the other owned the city's arena, it was Lew's bid that won! Lew's larger legacy includes his connection to the integration of the Dodgers' organization. The move was ultimately a success, and the full integration of major league sports soon followed.
Chris Boucher has written two books about Bucky Lew. A lifelong basketball fan, Chris Boucher hadn’t heard of Lew until he started researching early basketball in his backyard. He was shocked to learn all his hometown hero accomplished and now hopes to get Lew his proper due.
Event Links
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