Name/Title
Ray, Eddie: Giant's Softball & Park BoardEntry/Object ID
9999.BHF.322Scope and Content
Ray, Eddie Giant's Softball/Park Board
St. Joseph News-Press January 30, 1964 Edward E. Ray was first Negro to be appointed to the Park and Recreation Board. He was appointed by Mayor Arthur J. Meers. Mr. Ray is employed at the St. Joseph division of the Pearl Brewing Co. for 19 years. He has played, coached and refereed or umpired in many sports. He is a member of the Tes Trams, a Negro social club for 9 years and is a member of
St. Joseph's Cathedral. He graduated from old Bartlett High and has managed several teams and has been active in the Wesley Community Center, Y, and American Legion city recreation leagues.
St. Joseph News-Press August 10, 1957: The former Douglas School will become the Negro Social Clubhouse Tes Trams Club. St. Joseph Gazette July 9, 1957 has a photocopy of a picture of Eddie Ray, John Brown, Charles Self Jr. welcoming visitors to the open house. Between 800 and 1,000 persons visited the new club rooms of the Tes Trams Club.
St. Joseph News-Press March 5, 1999 Eddie Ray 90, at his home in St. Joseph, played baseball in the 1920 and 30s throughout Northwest Missouri as part of the Swift Giants, an all-black team. Eddie Ray played center field. It is a reminder of segregated hardball. The Swift's Giants were a professional baseball team, sponsored by Swift Packing Co., for advertisement and promotional purposes. There is a picture of Eddie Ray. He said he played on a softball team with a Mexican, Jewish, a Catholic guy and a couple of blacks, and we were threatened, It was back when the Ku Klux Klan was running wild. We were afraid they might catch us out and do something
He remembered after games farmers and their families in the towns where they played, would bring covered dishes and feed the teams. They were the only entertainment outlet during the lean years of the Depression. One fellow drove them to the games and helped to watch the gate. When they won they would usually get $15 to $20 a piece. In those days $5 was a lot of money in your pocket. Even though small towns welcomed the Giants, Mr. Ray remembered hearing the word "nigger" mixed in with the boos and the cheers from the stands.
Years later he gave up hardball for softball. He remembered being harassed at lake Contrary when he played on an integrated team. He continued to play softball for several years and coached a number of teams throughout the city.
He gave up his bat and ball and became a golfer until he lost the use of his legs.
St. Joseph News-Press February 26, 2006 under the heading Tribute paid to local black leaders, pioneers is an article about Eddie Ray. His photocopy picture is there . Under the picture is states Eddie Ray was the first black person to serve on the board for the St. Joseph Parks and Recreation Department.Collection
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Eddie RayPerson or Organization
Arthur MeersPerson or Organization
John BrownPerson or Organization
Charles Self, Jr.
