02/21/2023
August 7, 1956: A then minor league record crowd of 51,713 fans watched former Negro League pitching legend Satchel Paige lead the Miami Marlins to a 6-2 victory over the Columbus Jets at the Orange Bowl. The 50-year-old Paige pitched into the eighth inning and also drove in 3-runs with a double to left-center field. The Marlins were a Triple A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies of the International League and played their home games at Miami Stadium. Cab Calloway and Merv Griffin were among the entertainers who performed before the game. Proceeds went to charity.
In his prime, Satchel Paige was considered one of the most dominant pitchers of his era while playing for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues in the 1930s. He often competed against white Major League players during barnstorming tours and in the winter leagues in Cuba and the Domincan Republic. Former Cardinals hall of fame pitcher Dizzy Dean, called Paige the best pitcher he ever saw. By the time Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in 1947, Paige was 41 years old and past his prime. But he was still good enough to play at a high level. He played 5 Major League seasons with the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Browns from 1948 to 1953. Even in his 50s, he could still get professional hitters out. He made his final professional appearance with the Kansas City Athletics in 1965 at the age of 59.