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{{short description|American baseball player}}
{{AFC submission|t||ts=20140421204204|u=Tsanferraro|ns=5}} <!--- Important, do not remove this line before article has been created. --->
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Pee Wee Butts
| image = Pee Wee Butts Baltimore.jpg
| position = [[Shortstop]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1919|8|27|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Sparta, Georgia]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1972|12|30|1919|8|27|mf=y}}
| death_place = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| bats = Right
| throws = Right
| debutleague = [[Negro league baseball]]
| debutdate =
| debutyear = 1938
| debutteam = [[Atlanta Black Crackers]]
| finaldate =
| finalyear = 1954
| finalteam = [[Memphis Red Sox]]
| statyear =
| statleague =
| stat1label =
| stat1value =
| stat2label =
| stat2value =
| stat3label =
| stat3value =
| teams =
* [[Atlanta Black Crackers]] (1938)
* [[Indianapolis ABC's]] (1939)
⚫
* [[Baltimore Elite Giants]] (1939–42, 1944–51)
* [[Birmingham Black Barons]] (1952–53)
* [[Memphis Red Sox]] (1954)
}}
'''Thomas Lee "Pee Wee" Butts''' (August 27, 1919 &ndash; December 30, 1972) was an American baseball player who played in the [[Negro leagues]].


== Pee Wee Butts ==
== Early life ==
⚫
Thomas Lee "Pee Wee" Butts was born August 27, 1919, in [[Sparta, Georgia]], the birthplace of boxer Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson. He spent his childhood there and attended Washington High School. He played football and baseball for Washington High and was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the area.<ref name=holway>Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." ''Voices from the great Black baseball leagues''. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.</ref> The name "Pee Wee" came from his stature. At 5'7" and 140 pounds after a big meal, Butts was one of the smallest players on record.<ref name=pitchblack/>


⚫
== The beginning ==
⚫
Thomas Lee “Pee Wee” Butts was born August 27, 1919 in Sparta, Georgia, the birth place of boxer Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson. He spent his childhood there and attended Washington High School. He played football and baseball for Washington High and was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the area.<ref>[Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." ''Voices from the great Black baseball leagues''. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.]</ref> The name “Pee Wee” came from his stature. At 5’7” and 140 pounds after a big meal, Butts was one of the smallest players on record. <ref>[http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotm_PeeWee_Butts.htmlutts.html]</ref> [[file:pee wee butts.png|thumb|right|Pee Wee Butts]]
⚫
==The Beginning==
⚫
At age 17, Butts quit high school and began playing baseball with the Atlanta Black Crackers of the Negro American league in 1936. Because of his young age, opposing players tried to intimidate Butts by sliding spikes up into him. Pee Wee was not scared. Instead, he sharpened his spikes and he repaid the favor. Here he also learned to throw side arm to get batters out at first.<ref>[Porter, David L.. ''Biographical dictionary of American sports''. New York: Greenwood Press, 1992. Print.]</ref> The team moved to Indianapolis after Pee Wee’s first two seasons and became known as the ABC’s. In 1940, the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League came to town to play the ABC’s and offered Pee Wee a tryout after the game. Pee Wee was hesitant to leave home, but he figured the Black Crackers/ ABC’s team was breaking up, so he might as well. <ref>[Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." ''Voices from the great Black baseball leagues''. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.]</]</ref>


⚫
At age 17, Butts quit high school and began playing baseball with the [[Atlanta Black Crackers]] of the [[Negro American League]] in 1936. Because of his youth, opposing players tried to intimidate Butts by sliding spikes up into him. Here he also learned to throw side arm to get batters out at first.<ref>Porter, David L.. ''Biographical dictionary of American sports''. New York: Greenwood Press, 1992. Print.</ref> The team moved to Indianapolis after Pee Wee's first two seasons and became known as the ABCs. In 1940, the [[Baltimore Elite Giants]] of the [[Negro National League (1933–48)|Negro National League]] came to town to play the ABCs and offered Pee Wee a tryout after the game. Pee Wee was hesitant to leave home, but he figured the Black Crackers/ABCs team was breaking up, so he might as well.<ref name=holway/>
⚫
==The Baltimore Elite Giants==
⚫
For nine seasons in Baltimore, Pee Wee was a .280 hitter and he deveoped a reputation as one of the finest fielders in the game. <ref>["Pee Wee Butts." Pee Wee Butts. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotm_PeeWee_Butts.html>.]</ref> He only hit 3 homeruns in nine seasons but made up for it in average and fielding ability. He often turned double plays with the help of Junior Gilliam. It is said that Pee Wee coached Gilliam into the fine fielder that he became. Pee Wee had a problem with nerves at first. He was so nervous in his first game in Baltimore that he threw 3 balls into the stands. His manager, Felton Snow gave him the nickname “Cool breeze” to help him feel comfortable. In 1949, Baltimore won the pennant and the team fell apart financially. Gilliam went to Springfield, Massachusetts to try out for the Minor Leagues and Pee Wee knew he also would be moving on. <ref>[Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." Voices from the great Black baseball leagues. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.]</ref>


== The Baltimore Elite Giants ==
⚫
==Puerto Rico==
⚫
For several seasons, Pee Wee played in the off season in Puerto Rico in the late 1940s and early 1950s, after the Negro League season had commenced. His first season in Puerto Rico, he made more than forty errors. His Manager, Vic Harris, asked if he had been drinking and Pee Wee responded that he not been getting enough sleep and dedicated himself to proper rest. In 1948, Pee Wee hit .324 with the Santurce Crabbers.
⚫
==End of Career==
When Gilliam left for the Dodgers, rather than have to start over with a new second baseman, Pee Wee went to Canada to play for the Winnipeg Buffaloes of the Manitoba-Dakota League. <ref>["Pee Wee Butts." Pee Wee Butts. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotm_PeeWee_Butts.html>.]</ref>
Under Manager Willie Wells, Pee Wee batted .286 and the team won the pennant. Wells helped Pee Wee to tame his erratic arm by telling him to remain low after fielding so he would not have to rush his throws. One season in Canada was enough for Butts. He said it was too cold in Winnipeg and he went to Lincoln, Nebraska to play for the Class-A affiliate of the Philadelphia A’s.<ref>[Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." Voices from the great Black baseball leagues. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.]</ref>
⚫
Lincoln was none too kind to Pee Wee as he batted only .170 for the one season he was there. The organization wanted to send him to play for their Class B team, but Butts did not want to hold a roster spot from a young player who had a chance of moving up. He went back to the negro leagues for two seasons before playing his final season in 1955 with the Texas City Texans of the Big State league.<ref>["Thomas Butts Negro League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com." Baseball-Reference.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.baseball-reference.com/nlb/player.cgi?id=butts-001tho>.]</ref>


⚫
For nine seasons in Baltimore, Pee Wee was a .280 hitter and he developed a reputation as one of the finest fielders in the game.<ref name=pitchblack>"Pee Wee Butts." Pee Wee Butts. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotm_PeeWee_Butts.html>.</ref> He only hit 3 [[home runs]] in nine seasons but made up for it in average and fielding ability. He often turned double plays with the help of [[Junior Gilliam]]. It is said that Pee Wee coached Gilliam into the fine fielder that he became. Pee Wee had a problem with nerves at first. He was so nervous in his first game in Baltimore that he threw 3 balls into the stands. His manager, Felton Snow gave him the nickname "Cool breeze" to help him feel comfortable. In 1949, Baltimore won the pennant and the team fell apart financially. Gilliam went to Springfield, Massachusetts to try out for the Minor Leagues and Pee Wee knew he also would be moving on.<ref name=holway/>
⚫
==Almost to the Big Leagues==
⚫
Pee Wee often said that if he had been ten years younger or if baseball had accepted black players ten years earlier, that he would have made it to the major leagues. Two teammates of his, Junior Gilliam and Roy Campanella made it to the major leagues. Gilliam was not as good a player as Butts was, but he was younger. Pee Wee Butt’s coaches thought he would make it big. People compared him to Phil Rizzuto. One Cuban Pitcher who faced Butts when he played in Puerto Rico, Adolph Luque, even said that Butts could hit better than Rizzuto. Luque would know because he faced Rizzuto when he went to pitch for the Cincinnati Reds.<ref>[Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." Voices from the great Black baseball leagues. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.]</ref>
⚫
==Retirement==
⚫
After Pee Wee’s final season in Texas, he said he just moped around for a year. He returned home to Atlanta and played in an old timer’s game in 1969. He went to visit Roy Campanella after his career ending car accident.<ref>[Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." Voices from the great Black baseball leagues. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.]</ref>


⚫
== Puerto Rico ==


⚫
For several seasons, Butts played in the off season in [[Puerto Rico]] in the late 1940s and early 1950s, after the Negro league season had commenced. In 1948, Butts hit .324 with the Santurce Crabbers.


⚫
== End of career ==


⚫
When Gilliam left for the Dodgers, rather than have to start over with a new second baseman, Butts went to Canada to play for the Winnipeg Buffaloes of the Manitoba-Dakota League.<ref name=pitchblack/> Under manager Willie Wells, Butts batted .286 and the team won the pennant. Wells helped Pee Wee to tame his erratic arm by telling him to remain low after fielding so he would not have to rush his throws. One season in Canada was enough for Butts. He said it was too cold in Winnipeg and he went to [[Lincoln, Nebraska]], to play for the Class-A affiliate of the Philadelphia A's.<ref name=holway/> Lincoln was none too kind to Pee Wee as he batted only .170 for the one season he was there. The organization wanted to send him to play for their Class B team, but Butts did not want to hold a roster spot from a young player who had a chance of moving up. He went back to the Negro leagues for two seasons before playing his final season in 1955 with the Texas City Texans of the Big State league.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/nlb/player.cgi?id=butts-001tho "Thomas Butts Negro League Statistics & History] - Baseball-Reference.com." Baseball-Reference.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.</ref>


⚫
== Almost to the Big Leagues ==


⚫
Two teammates of Butts', [[Jim Gilliam]] and [[Roy Campanella]], made it to the major leagues. Gilliam was not as good a player as Butts was, but he was younger. Butts' coaches thought he would make it big;; people compared him to [[Phil Rizzuto]]. One Cuban pitcher who faced Butts when he played in Puerto Rico, [[Dolf Luque]], even said that Butts could hit better than Rizzuto.<ref name=holway/>
⚫
==References==

⚫
== Retirement ==

⚫
After Pee Wee's final season in Texas, he said he just moped around for a year. He returned home to Atlanta and played in an old timer's game in 1969. He went to visit [[Roy Campanella]] after his career ending car accident.<ref name=holway/>

⚫
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==External links==
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{{Baseballstats|br=b/buttsto01|brm=butts-001tho}} and [https://www.seamheads.com/NegroLgs/player.php?playerID=butts01tho Seamheads]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Butts, Pee Wee}}
[[Category:1919 births]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:Atlanta Black Crackers players]]
[[Category:Baltimore Elite Giants players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:People from Sparta, Georgia]]

Latest revision as of 09:10, 2 December 2024

Pee Wee Butts
Shortstop
Born: (1919-08-27)August 27, 1919
Sparta, Georgia
Died: December 30, 1972(1972-12-30) (aged 53)
Atlanta, Georgia
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Negro league baseball debut
1938, for the Atlanta Black Crackers
Last appearance
1954, for the Memphis Red Sox
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Thomas Lee "Pee Wee" Butts (August 27, 1919 – December 30, 1972) was an American baseball player who played in the Negro leagues.

Early life

[edit]

Thomas Lee "Pee Wee" Butts was born August 27, 1919, in Sparta, Georgia, the birthplace of boxer Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson. He spent his childhood there and attended Washington High School. He played football and baseball for Washington High and was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the area.[1] The name "Pee Wee" came from his stature. At 5'7" and 140 pounds after a big meal, Butts was one of the smallest players on record.[2]

The beginning

[edit]

At age 17, Butts quit high school and began playing baseball with the Atlanta Black Crackers of the Negro American League in 1936. Because of his youth, opposing players tried to intimidate Butts by sliding spikes up into him. Here he also learned to throw side arm to get batters out at first.[3] The team moved to Indianapolis after Pee Wee's first two seasons and became known as the ABCs. In 1940, the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League came to town to play the ABCs and offered Pee Wee a tryout after the game. Pee Wee was hesitant to leave home, but he figured the Black Crackers/ABCs team was breaking up, so he might as well.[1]

The Baltimore Elite Giants

[edit]

For nine seasons in Baltimore, Pee Wee was a .280 hitter and he developed a reputation as one of the finest fielders in the game.[2] He only hit 3 home runs in nine seasons but made up for it in average and fielding ability. He often turned double plays with the help of Junior Gilliam. It is said that Pee Wee coached Gilliam into the fine fielder that he became. Pee Wee had a problem with nerves at first. He was so nervous in his first game in Baltimore that he threw 3 balls into the stands. His manager, Felton Snow gave him the nickname "Cool breeze" to help him feel comfortable. In 1949, Baltimore won the pennant and the team fell apart financially. Gilliam went to Springfield, Massachusetts to try out for the Minor Leagues and Pee Wee knew he also would be moving on.[1]

Puerto Rico

[edit]

For several seasons, Butts played in the off season in Puerto Rico in the late 1940s and early 1950s, after the Negro league season had commenced. In 1948, Butts hit .324 with the Santurce Crabbers.

End of career

[edit]

When Gilliam left for the Dodgers, rather than have to start over with a new second baseman, Butts went to Canada to play for the Winnipeg Buffaloes of the Manitoba-Dakota League.[2] Under manager Willie Wells, Butts batted .286 and the team won the pennant. Wells helped Pee Wee to tame his erratic arm by telling him to remain low after fielding so he would not have to rush his throws. One season in Canada was enough for Butts. He said it was too cold in Winnipeg and he went to Lincoln, Nebraska, to play for the Class-A affiliate of the Philadelphia A's.[1] Lincoln was none too kind to Pee Wee as he batted only .170 for the one season he was there. The organization wanted to send him to play for their Class B team, but Butts did not want to hold a roster spot from a young player who had a chance of moving up. He went back to the Negro leagues for two seasons before playing his final season in 1955 with the Texas City Texans of the Big State league.[4]

Almost to the Big Leagues

[edit]

Two teammates of Butts', Jim Gilliam and Roy Campanella, made it to the major leagues. Gilliam was not as good a player as Butts was, but he was younger. Butts' coaches thought he would make it big;; people compared him to Phil Rizzuto. One Cuban pitcher who faced Butts when he played in Puerto Rico, Dolf Luque, even said that Butts could hit better than Rizzuto.[1]

Retirement

[edit]

After Pee Wee's final season in Texas, he said he just moped around for a year. He returned home to Atlanta and played in an old timer's game in 1969. He went to visit Roy Campanella after his career ending car accident.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Holway, John. "Pee Wee Butts." Voices from the great Black baseball leagues. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1975. 327-338. Print.
  2. ^ a b c "Pee Wee Butts." Pee Wee Butts. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotm_PeeWee_Butts.html>.
  3. ^ Porter, David L.. Biographical dictionary of American sports. New York: Greenwood Press, 1992. Print.
  4. ^ "Thomas Butts Negro League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com." Baseball-Reference.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Mar. 2014.
[edit]
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