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{{short description|American baseball player}}
{{short description|American baseball player}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Hubert Simmons
|name=Hubert Simmons
| image=Hubert Simmons.jpg
| image=Hubert Simmons baseball.jpg
| image_size=157
|position=[[Pitcher]] / [[Outfielder]]
|position=[[Pitcher]] / [[Outfielder]]
|bats=Right
|bats=Right
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|highlights=
|highlights=
}}
}}
'''Hubert Van Wike Simmons''' (May 19 1924 – July 8, 2009) was an American [[Negro League Baseball]] [[pitcher]] and [[outfielder]]. He batted and threw right handed.<ref name=NLBMuseum>[http://www.nlbemuseum.com/history/players/simmonsh.html Biography]. ''Negro League Baseball Museum website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref><ref name=BALTIMORE>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2009-07-11-0907100121-story.html Hubert Simmons]. Article by Frederick N. Rasmussen. ''The Baltimore Sun website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref>
'''Hubert Van Wike Simmons''' (May 19, 1924 – July 8, 2009) was an American [[Negro league baseball]] [[pitcher]] and [[outfielder]]. He batted and threw right handed.<ref name=NLBMuseum>[http://www.nlbemuseum.com/history/players/simmonsh.html Biography]. ''Negro League Baseball Museum website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref><ref name=BALTIMORE>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2009-07-11-0907100121-story.html Hubert Simmons]. Article by Frederick N. Rasmussen. ''The Baltimore Sun website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref>


It is documented that Simmons could play all [[Baseball positions|nine positions]] in baseball. Nevertheless, he was basically a [[curveball]] pitcher that later established his reputation for his nasty [[knuckleball]].<ref name=NLBPA>[http://www.nlbpa.com/the-athletes/simmons-hubert---bert Hubert 'Bert' Simmons profile and interview] ''Negro League Baseball Players Association website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref>
It is documented that Simmons could play all [[Baseball positions|nine positions]] in baseball. Nevertheless, he was primarily a [[curveball]] pitcher that later established his reputation for his nasty [[knuckleball]].<ref name=NLBPA>[http://www.nlbpa.com/the-athletes/simmons-hubert---bert Hubert 'Bert' Simmons profile and interview] ''Negro League Baseball Players Association website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref>


==Early life==
During his life, Simmons was considered to be an engaging individual, readily willing to share his experiences, talking to adults as well as kids, both African-Americans and white, about playing professional baseball and participating voluntarily in social activities.<ref name=BALTIMORE/><ref>[https://www.baseballhappenings.net/2009/07/hubert-bert-simmons-85-1924-2009-former.html Hubert Simmons, 85, 1924-2009 - Former Negro League Pitcher / Outfielder]. ''Baseball Happenings website''. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.</ref>
During his life, Simmons was considered to be an engaging individual, readily willing to share his experiences, talking to adults as well as kids, both African-Americans and white, about playing professional baseball and participating voluntarily in social activities.<ref name=BALTIMORE/><ref>[https://www.baseballhappenings.net/2009/07/hubert-bert-simmons-85-1924-2009-former.html Hubert Simmons, 85, 1924-2009 - Former Negro League Pitcher / Outfielder]. ''Baseball Happenings website''. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.</ref>


Simmons was born and raised in [[Tarboro, North Carolina]].<ref name=NLBMuseum/> He grew up watching the likes of [[Soup Campbell]], [[Snake Henry]] and [[Buster Maynard]] playing with the Class-D [[Coastal Plain League (Class D)#Complete team_list (1937–1941,1946–1952)|Tarboro Serpents]] at what was then called Bryan Park.<ref name=NLBPA/> Simmons had dreamed of playing on that same field since age seven, but segregation stood ominously in his path.<ref name=NLBPA/> At the time, it was a white park, with only white ball teams playing there.<ref name=BALTIMORE/> Neverthelees, Simmons learned to play baseball and watched games at the ballpark, which had separate seating for black people.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>
Simmons was born and raised in [[Tarboro, North Carolina]].<ref name=NLBMuseum/> He grew up watching the likes of [[Soup Campbell]], [[Snake Henry]] and [[Buster Maynard]] playing with the Class-D [[Coastal Plain League (Class D)#Complete team list (1937–1941,1946–1952)|Tarboro Serpents]] at what was then called Bryan Park.<ref name=NLBPA/> Simmons had dreamed of playing on that same field since age seven, but segregation stood ominously in his path.<ref name=NLBPA/> At the time, it was a white park, with only white ball teams playing there.<ref name=BALTIMORE/> Neverthelees, Simmons learned to play baseball and watched games at the ballpark, which had separate seating for black people.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>


After years of using foul balls as his golden ticket into Bryan Park, the teenager Simmons met a groundskeeper that allowed him to shine baseball shoes, and rake the basepaths and the field, which allowed Simmons to watch free the games of his local team.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>
After years of using foul balls as his golden ticket into Bryan Park, the teenager Simmons met a groundskeeper that allowed him to shine baseball shoes, and rake the basepaths and the field, which allowed Simmons to watch free the games of his local team.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>


==Baseball career==
Because his high school did not have a baseball team, Simmons just played [[sandlot ball]] and in [[Scout (Scouting)|Boy Scout]] games around his hometown.<ref name=BALTIMORE/> After graduating from high school in 1941, he joined the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC),<ref name=SMNLB>[http://www.smnlbinc.org/About-Bert-Simmons About Bert Simmons]. ''SMNLB Inc. website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref> a public [[work relief program]] established by President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] that operated from 1933 to 1942. Simmons was relocated to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], where he joined the Raleigh Tigers, a semipro team managed by legendary [[Bill Foster (baseball)|William 'Bill' Foster]].<ref name=NLBMuseum/>
Because his high school did not have a baseball team, Simmons just played [[sandlot ball]] and in [[Scout (Scouting)|Boy Scout]] games around his hometown.<ref name=BALTIMORE/> After graduating from high school in 1941, he joined the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] (CCC),<ref name=SMNLB>[http://www.smnlbinc.org/About-Bert-Simmons About Bert Simmons]. ''SMNLB Inc. website''. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.</ref> a public [[work relief program]] established by President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] that operated from 1933 to 1942. Simmons was relocated to [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], where he joined the Raleigh Tigers, a semipro team managed by legendary [[Bill Foster (baseball)|William 'Bill' Foster]].<ref name=NLBMuseum/>


Simmons spent his time with the Tigers from 1941 to 1942.<ref name=NLBMuseum/> Afterwards, he continued playing baseball for several teams through 1949, even while serving in the [[U.S. Army]] during [[World War II]] from 1943 to 1945 and later while attending college at [[North_Carolina_A%26T_State_University#History|A&T State]] in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]] between 1946 and 1949.<ref name=NLBPA/>
Simmons spent his time with the Tigers from 1941 to 1942.<ref name=NLBMuseum/> Afterwards, he continued playing baseball for several teams through 1949, even while serving in the [[U.S. Army]] during [[World War II]] from 1943 to 1945 and later while attending college at [[North Carolina A&T State University#History|A&T State]] in [[Greensboro, North Carolina]], between 1946 and 1949.<ref name=NLBPA/>


In between, Simmons served in [[Europe]] with the [[Quartermaster Corps (United States Army)|Quartermaster Corps]], arriving on the beaches of [[Normandy landings]] in June 1944 during the [[D-Day (military term)|D-Day invasion]].<ref name=BALTIMORE/> Discharged with the rank of sergeant at the end of the war, Simmons attended A&T, where he earned a bachelor's degree in [[business administration]] in 1950. While a student at A&T, he was a member of three championship teams and twice made the all-conference team.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>
In between, Simmons served in [[Europe]] with the [[Quartermaster Corps (United States Army)|Quartermaster Corps]], arriving on the beaches of [[Normandy landings]] in June 1944 during the [[D-Day (military term)|D-Day invasion]].<ref name=BALTIMORE/> Discharged with the rank of sergeant at the end of the war, Simmons attended A&T, where he earned a bachelor's degree in [[business administration]] in 1950. While a student at A&T, he was a member of three championship teams and twice made the all-conference team.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>
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In addition to the Raleigh Tigers, Simmons played for the Greensboro Red Wings (1946-1948), Farley Stars (1948), Asheville Blues (1949), and finally with the [[Baltimore Elite Giants]] of the [[Negro American League]] in 1950, in what would be the final season of the storied franchise.<ref name=NLBPA/> Simmons won one game in three pitching appearances for the Elites.<ref name=NLBMuseum/> After that, he played from 1951 to 1952 for the all-black Yokely Stars, an independent club based in [[Baltimore, Maryland]].<ref name=NLBPA/>
In addition to the Raleigh Tigers, Simmons played for the Greensboro Red Wings (1946-1948), Farley Stars (1948), Asheville Blues (1949), and finally with the [[Baltimore Elite Giants]] of the [[Negro American League]] in 1950, in what would be the final season of the storied franchise.<ref name=NLBPA/> Simmons won one game in three pitching appearances for the Elites.<ref name=NLBMuseum/> After that, he played from 1951 to 1952 for the all-black Yokely Stars, an independent club based in [[Baltimore, Maryland]].<ref name=NLBPA/>


==Life after Baseball==
After retiring from baseball, Simmons settled in Baltimore and worked for the [[Social Security Administration]] and the [[U.S. Post Office]] before becoming a city school teacher in 1954. He then taught business at [[Northwestern High School (Baltimore)|Northwestern High School]] and was appointed department chairman in 1975.<ref name=BALTIMORE/> He retired in 1984 ater 30 years of service in the [[Baltimore City Public Schools|Baltimore City Public School System]].<ref name=NLBMuseum/> In his sparetime, he coached baseball at the [[Little League]], high school and college levels for more than 40 years.<ref name=NLBMuseum/>
After retiring from baseball, Simmons settled in Baltimore and worked for the [[Social Security Administration]] and the [[U.S. Post Office]] before becoming a city school teacher in 1954. He then taught business at [[Northwestern High School (Baltimore)|Northwestern High School]] and was appointed department chairman in 1975.<ref name=BALTIMORE/> He retired in 1984 after 30 years of service in the [[Baltimore City Public Schools|Baltimore City Public School System]].<ref name=NLBMuseum/> In his spare time, he coached baseball at the [[Little League]], high school and college levels for more than 40 years.<ref name=NLBMuseum/>


Simmons later owned SimmonsInk, The Logo Specialists, an advertising specialties business,<ref name=BALTIMORE/> and opened a small sportswear retail store, Simmons Inc., specialized in customized clothing and uniforms for teams, churches, schools and fraternal organizations.<ref name=NLBMuseum/>
Simmons later owned SimmonsInk, The Logo Specialists, an advertising specialties business,<ref name=BALTIMORE/> and opened a small sportswear retail store, Simmons Inc., specialized in customized clothing and uniforms for teams, churches, schools and fraternal organizations.<ref name=NLBMuseum/>


In 1978, Simmons gained induction into the North Carolina A&T State University Sports Hall of Fame. Thereafter, he was recognized by the Mayor of the City of Baltimore for Outstanding Community Service.<ref name=NLBMuseum/> For years, he also participated in the [[Baltimore Orioles]]' FanFest, being honored in 2004 by throwing out the first pitch at an Orioles home game.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>
In 1978, Simmons gained induction into the North Carolina A&T State University Sports Hall of Fame. Thereafter, he was recognized by the Mayor of the City of Baltimore for Outstanding Community Service.<ref name=NLBMuseum/> For years, he also participated in the [[Baltimore Orioles]]' FanFest, being honored in 2004 by throwing out the first pitch at an Orioles home game.<ref name=BALTIMORE/>


Prior to the [[2008 MLB Draft]], the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Simmons as a pitcher in the [[2008 Major League Baseball draft#Negro Leagues Special Draft|Special Draft of the surviving Negro League players]]. [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] player [[Dave Winfield]] hatched the idea to have this draft, which allowed the MLB teams each select a former NLB player to rectify and recognize those ballplayers who did not have the opportunity to play in the major leagues on the basis of race.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2008/m05/d29/c2795840.jsp 2008 Special Negro Leagues Draft]. ''MLB.com.'' Retrieved on January 27, 2019.</ref>
Prior to the [[2008 MLB Draft]], the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] selected Simmons as a pitcher in the [[2008 Major League Baseball draft#Negro Leagues Special Draft|special draft of the surviving Negro league players]]. [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] player [[Dave Winfield]] hatched the idea to have this draft, which allowed the MLB teams each select a former NLB player to rectify and recognize those ballplayers who did not have the opportunity to play in the major leagues on the basis of race.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2008/m05/d29/c2795840.jsp 2008 Special Negro Leagues Draft]. ''MLB.com.'' Retrieved on January 27, 2019.</ref>


A few days later, the tireless Simmons, along with his wife Audrey L. Simmons and good friend Rayner Banks, gathered a group of relatives, friends, and acquaintances to meet and discuss plans for the development of a Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Baltimore. The timing was perfect as there was a rise in interest surrounding the Negro Leagues and its ball players after the Special Draft. As a result, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland Inc. (NLBMM) became incorporated in the State of Maryland and was recognized by the [[Internal Revenue Service]] as a non-profit, charitable corporation in September 2008.<ref name=SMNLB/>
A few days later, the tireless Simmons, along with his wife Audrey L. Simmons and good friend Rayner Banks, gathered a group of relatives, friends, and acquaintances to meet and discuss plans for the development of a Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Baltimore. The timing was perfect as there was a rise in interest surrounding the Negro leagues and its ball players after the Special Draft. As a result, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland Inc. (NLBMM) became incorporated in the State of Maryland and was recognized by the [[Internal Revenue Service]] as a non-profit, charitable corporation in September 2008.<ref name=SMNLB/>


Soon after, Simmons continued a normal life until he suddenly became ill. He died on July 8, 2009 in Baltimore at the age of 85. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving player of the Baltimore Elite Giants.<ref>[http://www.marchfh.com/obituaries/Hubert-Vanwycke-Simmons-1247155228/#!/Obituary Obituary]. ''March Funeral Homes website''. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.</ref>
Soon after, Simmons continued a normal life until he suddenly became ill. He died on July 8, 2009, in Baltimore at the age of 85. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving player of the Baltimore Elite Giants.<ref>[http://www.marchfh.com/obituaries/Hubert-Vanwycke-Simmons-1247155228/#!/Obituary Obituary]. ''March Funeral Homes website''. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.</ref>


==Legacy==
On March 27, 2014, Baltimore County officials, former Negro League Baseball players and fans formally unveiled the Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball (SMNLB) in the [[Baltimore County Public_Library#The BCPL System in the 21st century|Owings Mills branch]] of the [[Baltimore County Public Library]] to honor Simmons.<ref>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/owings-mills/bs-md-negro-league-0328-20140327-story.html Opening day at Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball in Owings Mills]. ''The Baltimore Sun website''. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.</ref> The previously named Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland Inc. had been housed in various temporary locations until the county offered to give it a permanent home in the newly founded BCPL branch.<ref name=SMNLB/>

On March 27, 2014, Baltimore County officials, former Negro league baseball players and fans formally unveiled the Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball (SMNLB) in the [[Baltimore County Public Library#The BCPL System in the 21st century|Owings Mills branch]] of the [[Baltimore County Public Library]] to honor Simmons.<ref>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/owings-mills/bs-md-negro-league-0328-20140327-story.html Opening day at Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball in Owings Mills]. ''The Baltimore Sun website''. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.</ref> The previously named Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland Inc. had been housed in various temporary locations until the county offered to give it a permanent home in the newly founded BCPL branch.<ref name=SMNLB/>


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/simmons_bert.htm Baseball in Wartime]
*[http://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/simmons_bert.htm Baseball in Wartime]
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[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:American military personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Baltimore Elite Giants players]]
[[Category:Baltimore Elite Giants players]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:Baseball pitchers]]
[[Category:People from Tarboro, North Carolina]]
[[Category:People from Tarboro, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Baltimore]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Baltimore]]
[[Category:UNC Greensboro Spartans baseball players]]
[[Category:North Carolina A&T State University alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 09:16, 2 December 2024

Hubert Simmons
Pitcher / Outfielder
Born: (1924-05-19)May 19, 1924
Tarboro, North Carolina
Died: July 8, 2009(2009-07-08) (aged 85)
Baltimore, Maryland
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Teams

Hubert Van Wike Simmons (May 19, 1924 – July 8, 2009) was an American Negro league baseball pitcher and outfielder. He batted and threw right handed.[1][2]

It is documented that Simmons could play all nine positions in baseball. Nevertheless, he was primarily a curveball pitcher that later established his reputation for his nasty knuckleball.[3]

Early life

[edit]

During his life, Simmons was considered to be an engaging individual, readily willing to share his experiences, talking to adults as well as kids, both African-Americans and white, about playing professional baseball and participating voluntarily in social activities.[2][4]

Simmons was born and raised in Tarboro, North Carolina.[1] He grew up watching the likes of Soup Campbell, Snake Henry and Buster Maynard playing with the Class-D Tarboro Serpents at what was then called Bryan Park.[3] Simmons had dreamed of playing on that same field since age seven, but segregation stood ominously in his path.[3] At the time, it was a white park, with only white ball teams playing there.[2] Neverthelees, Simmons learned to play baseball and watched games at the ballpark, which had separate seating for black people.[2]

After years of using foul balls as his golden ticket into Bryan Park, the teenager Simmons met a groundskeeper that allowed him to shine baseball shoes, and rake the basepaths and the field, which allowed Simmons to watch free the games of his local team.[2]

Baseball career

[edit]

Because his high school did not have a baseball team, Simmons just played sandlot ball and in Boy Scout games around his hometown.[2] After graduating from high school in 1941, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC),[5] a public work relief program established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that operated from 1933 to 1942. Simmons was relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he joined the Raleigh Tigers, a semipro team managed by legendary William 'Bill' Foster.[1]

Simmons spent his time with the Tigers from 1941 to 1942.[1] Afterwards, he continued playing baseball for several teams through 1949, even while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945 and later while attending college at A&T State in Greensboro, North Carolina, between 1946 and 1949.[3]

In between, Simmons served in Europe with the Quartermaster Corps, arriving on the beaches of Normandy landings in June 1944 during the D-Day invasion.[2] Discharged with the rank of sergeant at the end of the war, Simmons attended A&T, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1950. While a student at A&T, he was a member of three championship teams and twice made the all-conference team.[2]

In addition to the Raleigh Tigers, Simmons played for the Greensboro Red Wings (1946-1948), Farley Stars (1948), Asheville Blues (1949), and finally with the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro American League in 1950, in what would be the final season of the storied franchise.[3] Simmons won one game in three pitching appearances for the Elites.[1] After that, he played from 1951 to 1952 for the all-black Yokely Stars, an independent club based in Baltimore, Maryland.[3]

Life after Baseball

[edit]

After retiring from baseball, Simmons settled in Baltimore and worked for the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Post Office before becoming a city school teacher in 1954. He then taught business at Northwestern High School and was appointed department chairman in 1975.[2] He retired in 1984 after 30 years of service in the Baltimore City Public School System.[1] In his spare time, he coached baseball at the Little League, high school and college levels for more than 40 years.[1]

Simmons later owned SimmonsInk, The Logo Specialists, an advertising specialties business,[2] and opened a small sportswear retail store, Simmons Inc., specialized in customized clothing and uniforms for teams, churches, schools and fraternal organizations.[1]

In 1978, Simmons gained induction into the North Carolina A&T State University Sports Hall of Fame. Thereafter, he was recognized by the Mayor of the City of Baltimore for Outstanding Community Service.[1] For years, he also participated in the Baltimore Orioles' FanFest, being honored in 2004 by throwing out the first pitch at an Orioles home game.[2]

Prior to the 2008 MLB Draft, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Simmons as a pitcher in the special draft of the surviving Negro league players. Baseball Hall of Fame player Dave Winfield hatched the idea to have this draft, which allowed the MLB teams each select a former NLB player to rectify and recognize those ballplayers who did not have the opportunity to play in the major leagues on the basis of race.[6]

A few days later, the tireless Simmons, along with his wife Audrey L. Simmons and good friend Rayner Banks, gathered a group of relatives, friends, and acquaintances to meet and discuss plans for the development of a Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Baltimore. The timing was perfect as there was a rise in interest surrounding the Negro leagues and its ball players after the Special Draft. As a result, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland Inc. (NLBMM) became incorporated in the State of Maryland and was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit, charitable corporation in September 2008.[5]

Soon after, Simmons continued a normal life until he suddenly became ill. He died on July 8, 2009, in Baltimore at the age of 85. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving player of the Baltimore Elite Giants.[7]

Legacy

[edit]

On March 27, 2014, Baltimore County officials, former Negro league baseball players and fans formally unveiled the Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball (SMNLB) in the Owings Mills branch of the Baltimore County Public Library to honor Simmons.[8] The previously named Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland Inc. had been housed in various temporary locations until the county offered to give it a permanent home in the newly founded BCPL branch.[5]

Sources

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Biography. Negro League Baseball Museum website. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Hubert Simmons. Article by Frederick N. Rasmussen. The Baltimore Sun website. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Hubert 'Bert' Simmons profile and interview Negro League Baseball Players Association website. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.
  4. ^ Hubert Simmons, 85, 1924-2009 - Former Negro League Pitcher / Outfielder. Baseball Happenings website. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c About Bert Simmons. SMNLB Inc. website. Retrieved on January 28, 2019.
  6. ^ 2008 Special Negro Leagues Draft. MLB.com. Retrieved on January 27, 2019.
  7. ^ Obituary. March Funeral Homes website. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.
  8. ^ Opening day at Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball in Owings Mills. The Baltimore Sun website. Retrieved on January 30, 2019.
[edit]