The owner of the Pittsburgh Crawfords, 1931-38, in 1933 Greenlee organized the National
Negro Association, commonly known as the second Negro
National League, into which
it evolved. He served as its president with absolute power, awarding the first pennant
to his own Crawfords. This claim was disputed by the Chicago American Giants, since
the schedule had not been completed. The circuit survived until being absorbed by
the Negro
American League in 1949. Greenlee also initiated the East-West all-star
game in 1933.
The Negro Leagues' showcase event, it annually drew crowds approaching
50,000 to Comiskey Field.
In addition to the Crawfords, he also owned his own ballpark,
a famous nightclub (the Crawford Bar &
Grill), and a stable of boxers including light-heavyweight
champion John Henry Lewis. Greenlee was a power in black Pittsburgh's racketeering
and politics.
(MFK)
Gus Greenlee
