Written By: Eliza Berman
Leroy “Satchel” Paige spent two decades pitching in the American Negro leagues before Major League Baseball, in 1947, began to integrate its ranks. When Paige debuted with the Cleveland Indians in July 1948, he was not only among the first black players in the league; he was also, at 42, the oldest rookie in the Major Leagues.
LIFE profiled Paige in 1941, years before joining Major League Baseball was a glimmer of a possibility. At that time, Paige pitched as a freelancer, working for whichever team would pay him the best fee. Major League pitchers, the magazine pointed out, typically played every fourth game, but Paige “pitches three games a week all season, winning most of them.”
Paige drew crowds thanks to his supreme talent—Joe DiMaggio said after facing him in a 1936 non-league game that Paige was the greatest pitcher he had ever batted against—and his outsize personality also attracted fans. He was a showman and a storyteller, bestowing playful nicknames upon his pitches (a changeup was a “two-hump blooper” and a medium-speed fastball was a “Little Tom”). And his performance seemed unaffected by his eating habits, which had him, reportedly, “consuming great quantities of ice-cold pop and hotdogs just before pitching.”
In 1971, Paige—who played his last game at the age of 59—became the first Negro leagues player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Liz Ronk edited this gallery for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.
Paige, here suiting up for the Black Yankees of the Negro Leagues, reared way back when he threw his best pitch, known as the cannonball.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Paige played some boogie woogie on the piano for his teammates.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Paige was as popular with the kids as boxer Joe Louis or dancer/actor Bill “Bojangles” Robinson.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Paige liked to drive big, fast automobiles, and his cars were usually bright red.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Paige was tough to beat on the baseball diamond but more prone to defeat at the pool table.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Paige’s wife, Lucy, was from Puerto Rico. They met while he was playing ball there. She didn’t speak English well at the time of the photo, and Paige knew only limited Spanish.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Paige got shined, clipped and manicured on three sides at once.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Paige, who hopped from team to team during his Negro Leauges career, warming up before a game.
George Strock The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
