Greg White recently visited the Bush Mountain Community to look at the marker for Mr. Moore and the Atlanta Black Crackers. As one of the signs says, “This practice field may be the last tangible evidence of this facet of baseball history.”
The late James “Red” Moore and Atlanta Black Crackers are recognized with this historical marker (installed January 10, 2017) in the Bush Mountain community. Mr. Moore’s legacy continues to live.
The James Red Moore legacy continues! “Stories of Atlanta,” produced by the Atlanta History Center, features Mr. Moore and his community of Bush Mountain in west Atlanta.
Below: (1) Jesse Garbowski, Neighborhood Exhibition Project Manager, with Red Moore’s family members; (2) Greg White; (3) Exhibition with the left-handed glove that Red used to “pick them” at first base.
Links to articles about the exhibition:
http://news.wabe.org/post/atlanta-history-center-retells-city-s-story-gatheround
Mr. Moore received a nice letter honoring his 99th birthday from President Obama and Michelle Obama. It meant a lot, especially after their face-to-face meeting in 2013.
Terence Moore, writing for MLB.com, talked with Mr. Moore about the passing of former Negro Leaguer Monte Irvin.
Since the death of Monte Irvin on Monday at 96, nobody knows how many Negro Leagues players remain these days, but this is for sure: Their legacies will last forever, and the face of James “Red” Moore brightens whenever the subject is Irvin, baseball or just about anything else.
“Thankful to celebrate 99 years of life,” said Moore (no relation), telling his age this week with zeal from a nursing home in his native Atlanta.
On November 19, 2015, Mr. James Moore turned 99! We’re wishing him all the best in the year ahead.
Mr. Moore was interviewed by the Atlanta History Center on August 29, 2015, for an exhibit on Bush Mountain, on the southwest side of Atlanta where he grew up and first started playing baseball. Look for the exhibit in April 2016. The photo below shows Mr. Moore (middle row, far right) with fellow Black Crackers at Ponce de Leon Park.
Mr. Moore was signing fan mail (June 7, 2015) and enjoyed special visits from Noah White and Andrea McCoy-Carty, who was instrumental in organizing the trip to the White House to meet President Obama in 2013. Top photo: Mr. Moore with his wife, Mary. Middle photo: With Noah (left), Andrea and guest. Bottom photo: With Greg White.
Mr. Moore is still taking care of business: talking with Mike Glenn (Atlanta Hawks) and signing autographs — he gets about 5-10 requests each month (January 26, 2015).
Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond honored living baseball greats Norman F. “Geronimo” Lumpkin; James “Red” Moore and Lawrence “Larry” Williams on September 15, 2014, at Atlanta City Hall. All honorees were members of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Mr. Moore’s proclamation read:
James “Red” Moore was born in Atlanta on November 18, 1916 and is recognized as one of the Negro Major League’s premier first basemen. He played for the Atlanta Black Crackers in 1935, 1938, and 1946-48
During Moore’s storied career, which was abbreviated by his military service, he played on three All-Star teams, three Second Half Championship teams and was selected to the 1938 Southern News Services All-American Negro League Baseball Team.
Pictured with the proclamations below are Mr. James “Red” Moore, Larry Williams (Kansas City Monarchs) and Norman Lumpkin (Atlanta Black Crackers).
With Brian Jordan, Fox Sports Baseball Analyst
With Brian Jordan, Kwanza Hall and Michael Julian Bond
With Michael Julian Bond and Larry Williams
As part of the 2nd annual Atlanta Braves Heritage Weekend, the Braves and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights partnered for the Delta Air Lines Champions Luncheon (May 2nd). The 2014 award recipients, outstanding individuals who have made a lifelong commitment to overcoming industry obstacles and inspiring future generations, included Joe Barry Carroll, retired NBA All Star; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, track and field Olympic legend and gold medalist; Edwin Moses, former track and field Olympic legend and gold medalist; and Reverend C.T. Vivian, civil rights legend and recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Needless to say, they were happy to spend time with Mr. James “Red” Moore and his wife, Mary.
(top above) Jackie Joyner-Kersee, track and field Olympic legend and gold medalist; (lower) Joe Barry Carroll, NBA All-Star, shares his book Growing Up in Words and Images.
Reverend C.T. Vivian, Civil Rights legend and recent recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, with Mr. and Mrs. Moore.
James “Red Moore” with (row 2, l-r) Edwin Moses, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Rev C. T. Vivian and Marquis Grissom (former Atlanta Braves); and behind them, Joe Barry Carroll.
Attending the 10th Anniversary of the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame, former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz drops by to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. James Moore (February 7, 2014).
Happy birthday, Mr. Moore (November 18, 2013)!
While Mr. and Mrs. Moore (top photo) were visiting Washington, D.C. and the White House on August 5, 2013, Mr. Moore was also honored as a honorary graduate of Howard University. Accompanying the Moores was Gregory White and Andrea Mccoy Carty, vice president of the Judy Johnson Foundation and organizer of the White House trip (bottom photo).
Mr. James “Red” Moore was an honored guest at Turner Stadium on June 1, 2013, as the Braves commemorated Atlanta’s baseball heritage.
Mr. Moore was interviewed at his home by Ernie Suggs of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on May 29, 2013.
Display case at Mr. Moore’s home features a signed ball by Hank Aaron, a photo of Jackie Robinson, and a figurine of himself, among other things.
Along with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (right) and Greg White, City of Decatur Active Living Director, Mr. Moore and his wife attended President Obama’s speech at the Decatur Recreation Center on February 14, 2013.
Mr. Moore was honored by having the baseball field at Booker T. Washington High School, where he attended, named after him and Donn Clendenon (1969 World Series MVP, New York Mets) on April 28, 2012.
Thanks to all who participated in this special event, especially the Atlanta Public Schools Office of Athletics in partnership with L.E.A.D., CJ Stewart (founder of LEAD), Kelli Stewart and Mike Glenn (Atlanta Hawks TV analyst).
Other Atlanta Public Schools baseball legends honored included Charles Easley, Sr., Ted Sparks and Lyndon Wade.
At the 2011 Pop Lloyd Celebration (Oct. 14-16) in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Mr. Moore spent some time with fellow Negro Leaguers Monte Irvin (Hall of Famer), Al Burrows (New York Black Yankees), Ray Banks (Negro League historian), and Wayne Rollins (retired high school coach). Mr. Moore and Greg White also met Vera Clemente, the wife of Roberto Clemente.
Mr. James “Red” Moore was honored at the Civil Rights Game held at Turner Stadium in May 2011.
On April 15, 2011, “Red” Moore was a guest at Turner Stadium for the 64th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. Other guests included Hank Aaron and Martin Luther King III.
On March 25th, Mr. Moore was a guest at the Decatur High School baseball game. In the photos below, he joins the Decatur and GAC teams; Dr. Edwards, superintendent for City Schools of Decatur; and ballplayer Charlie Shew.
Mr. James “Red” Moore was honored at a reception sponsored by Georgia Tech on March 3, 2011, in conjunction with a program highlighting the Shades of Greatness exhibit.
Georgia Tech baseball coach Danny Hall presents a Georgia Tech autograph baseball bat to Mr. Moore.
Eddie McAshan, Georgia Tech’s first black quarterback (1969).
Dr. Gary May, chair of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and chair of the Steering Committee for the 50th Anniversary of the Matriculation of Black Students at Tech, and Dan Radakovich, director of Georgia Tech Athletic Association, with the award presented to Mr. Moore.
Georgia Tech sociology professor Willie Pearson and Mrs. Mary Moore.
2011 Georgia Tech baseball team.
Check out this rare film discovered of the 1938 Black Crackers by the Atlanta History Center (news story by Channell 11). In one scene you can see James “Red” Moore posing with the team front and center.
from the Atlanta Hawks website…
As part of this year’s celebration of Black History Month, the Atlanta Hawks are honoring prominent African-American leaders during home games in February for their civic contributions, accomplishments and leadership. Beginning with the Hawks – Raptors game on Wednesday, February 2, the team will recognize individuals from the Atlanta area who have excelled in these areas during special in-game ceremonies.
The first honoree will be Red Moore, a former Negro League All-Star first baseman who played for the Atlanta Black Crackers, Newark Eagles and Baltimore Elite Giants. Moore, an Atlanta native, played professionally in the 1930’s and 1940’s and was known as one of the top defensive players of his time. While playing for Newark, he teamed with Ray Dandridge, Willie Wells and Dick Seay in what became known as the “Millions Dollar Infield.” After his playing days, Moore served in the army during World War II before working for Colonial Warehouse in Atlanta until his retirement.
See Hawks video about Red Moore
Red with Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks, and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins before the game.
Red with Dominique Wilkins.
Mike Glenn, Mary Moore, Dominique Wilkins and Noah White.
Red with Andrea Carter, Atlanta Hawks Community Relations.
On Saturday, November 20, 2010, James “Red” Moore appeared with noted Negro League baseball historian and author James Riley at Decatur Library (in connection with the “ Passion and Pride Exhibit”) to discuss his experience playing baseball during the heyday of the Negro Leagues.
Joseph Amos (pictured above) watched Mr. Moore play at Booker T. Washington field in the 1930s. He talked about Mr. Moore entertaining the crowd by catching the ball behind his back and through his legs — not only before the game but DURING the game.
On October 1st, Mr. Moore (left, 93 years old) joined a few other Negro League players at the 2010 Pop Lloyd Weekend in Atlantic City, New Jersey: Emilio “Milito” Navarro (105 years old and the oldest living Negro League Player, as well as the first Puerto Rican to play in the Negro Leagues) and Monte Irvin (92 years old), Hall of Famer and former San Franciso Giant who played with Mr. Moore in Newark.
Mr. Moore with Dr. Hogan of the Pop Lloyd Committee.
Mr. Moore attended a Mensa Chapter meeting on Saturday, September 25th, at the Holiday Inn Select in Dunwoody.
Mr. Moore was a special guest at a book event hosted by Georgia Center for the Book at the Decatur Library. “A Baseball Triple Play” featured writers Pete Van Wieren and Jack Wilkerson (Of Mikes and Men), Dave Cohen (Matzoh Balls and Baseballs: Conversations with 17 Former Jewish Major League Baseball Players) and Hal Jacobs (Ball Crazy, pictured above) on August 10, 2010.