Bill Caldwell: Girard's Frank Wickware had legendary fastball, curveball

In the first half of the 20th century, the color line created parallel societies in business, education, government, social organizations and sports.

Because baseball was the nation’s premier sport, it meant Black and white players seldom met on the field except in exhibition games. One of the best pitchers to play in the Negro Leagues was a Southeast Kansas native, Frank Wickware. His fastball and curveball were legendary. He was ranked equal to or better than another Southeast Kansas pitcher, Walter Johnson, of the Washington Senators. Yet alcohol cut short his dazzling career. ×

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