Satchel Paige, 1940’s

Print Detail: This limited print, which measures 7.6” x 9.5”, was printed on to canvas and mounted on to an acid-free 11” x 14” beveled mat. The mat is attached to a 4-ply, acid-free backing board and is protected with a removable, Krysta Seal transparent plastic covering. The mat is intended to protect the print, but it can be framed as is, or can easily be disassembled without harming the underlying canvas print or matting material. Please note that the mat opening is 7.5” x 9.5” and does not perfectly match the opening in the pre-cut mat. 

Source: National Baseball Hall of Fame Library

Photo Subject: Satchel Paige pitching for the Kansas City Monarchs. 

Folklore: Satchel Paige was more than a great pitcher, he was the consummate showman. On many occasions he would pull in the outfielders to sit behind the mound while he proceeded to strike out the side with the tying run on base. 

One apocryphal tale tells of Paige intentionally walking Howard Easterling and Buck Leonard to load the bases so he could pitch to Josh Gibson, the most dangerous hitter in black baseball. As the story goes, Satchel stuck out Gibson on three pitches, taunting him with each pitch. It makes a great story, but the box score can only support the strikeout with bases loaded, and Paige issued no base on balls for the game in question. Still, I want to believe this story is true.

Ted Williams claimed, “Paige was the greatest pitcher in baseball.” Joe DiMaggio said Satchel Paige was the “best and fastest pitcher I’ve ever faced.” Cardinal pitcher Dizzy Dean remarked, “He’s a better pitcher than I ever hope to be.” Homestead Grays first baseman and Hall of Famer Buck Leonard declared, “He threw fire.”

Original Painting Detail (not this Print): Printed on 8-1/2” x 11” canvas and painted using Schmincke Mussini and Marshall’s oil paints. Finer details were made using Prismacolor pencils.

Acknowledgements: The websites “Historical Society of Missouri” on the MLB player quotes and the “National Museum of American History” on the Paige/Gibson story. 

Additional info, go to: baseballoncanvas.com