The Memphis Red Sox were an original member of the Negro Southern League, which began play in 1920.  They joined with the Birmingham Black Barons as “associate” members of the Negro National League in 1923, and Memphis compiled a 13-6 mark against NNL teams that season.  The Red Sox finished sixth their first two seasons as official members, in 1924 (29-37) and 1925 (30-48).  They rejoined the NSL in 1926, and then returned to the NNL in 1927, but they remained a second division team through 1930.

They played well in the “major” Negro Southern League of 1932, their only major league affiliation from 1931 to 1936.  They joined the new Negro American League in 1937, finishing in the middle of the pack.  Finally, in 1938, the Sox won the NAL first half with a 21-4 record.  They stumble during the second half, but won the only two games played in a hotly disputed championship series with the Atlanta Black Crackers.  This team was managed by Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe.  The Red Sox remained a viable, competitive franchise through the ‘40s, but fell short of a championship.  They finally called it quits in 1960.

Memphis was controlled over the years by the Martin brothers, all doctors:  J.B., also a NAL official, A.T., B.B., and W.S.  The club’s home games were played at Martin Park.  Many great players toiled for Memphis over the years, the best being Bob Boyd, Larry Brown, Marlin Carter, Chin Evans, Cowan Hyde, Clinton Jones, Verdell Mathis, Neil Robinson, and Nat Rogers.