The Baltimore Black Sox came into existence in 1913 as a club team.  A change in ownership in 1918 upgraded their status to semi-pro, and they continually improved and became charter members of the Eastern Colored League in 1923.  In their first seasons, the Black Sox finished last at 19-0, but they were second at 30-19 in 1924.  They were 31-19 and third the following season before falling to sixth in 1926.  The 1927 team was just 35-35.  There was no ECL in 1928, but the 1929 Black Sox, anchored by their “Million Dollar” infield of Jud Wilson, Frank Warfield, Dick Lundy, and Oliver Marcelle, swept to pennants in both halves.  Overall, they were 49-21.  Unfortunately, there was no World Series held from 1928 to 1941.  This was easily the greatest Black Sox squad with Rap Dixon, Robert Clarke, and pitchers Red Ryan, Pud Flournoy, and Laymon Yokeley adding their talents to those of the terrific infield.

The Black Sox played independently in 1930 and 1931.  They joined the East-West League in 1932, and were battling for the top spot when the circuit folded.  In 1933, the second Negro National League was founded with Baltimore as a member.  The team dropped out after the season but returned for the second half in 1934.  This was the Black Sox’s swan song.  Unable to keep quality players during the Depression, the Black Sox reverted to a semi-pro local basis and “major league” ball left Baltimore for several years.

Richard Powell was instrumental in getting top-flight baseball back to Baltimore.  He got the Nashville Elite Giants, founded by Tom Wilson in 1918, to play several NNL games in Baltimore during 1936 and 1937.  Finally, in 1938, the Nashville team transferred to Crab Town, and the Baltimore Elite Giants came into being.  The 1938 entry was mediocre.  However, after placing third the first half of the 1939 season, Baltimore had the best second half record.  An elimination tournament was held, and the Elite Giants knocked off the Newark Eagles and the Homestead Grays two games to none.  They were declared champions, despite Homestead’s having the best overall record.

The Elite Giants finished second in 1940 (25-14), third in 1941 (22-18) and had a 37-15 record in 1942, which was the league’s best overall.  In a reversal of the 1939 elimination series, they finished second to Homestead.  The 1943 and 1944 entries were second division teams, but Baltimore rebounded to second in 1945 at 25-17.  In 1946 and 1947 the club was again in the middle of the pack.  The Elite Giants took the first half in 1948, but lost to the Homestead Grays in the playoffs.  This was a prelude to a World Title the next year.

In 1949, the two Negro Leagues merged into the Negro American League with East and West divisions.  The Elite Giants cruised to the Eastern Title and then beat the Chicago American Giants in four straight games for the championship.  They were 24-20 in 1950.  Stadium problems forced Baltimore to give up the ghost after the 1951 season.

The Black Sox and Elite Giants had may superb players over the course of their existence.  They included Joe Black, Bill Byrd, “Pee Wee” Butts, Roy Campanella, “Junior” Gilliam, Sammy T. Hughes, Henry Kimbro, Andy Porter, Felton Snow, Jud Wilson, Laymon Yokeley, and Robert Clarke, who caught for both Baltimore teams.