Born October 21, 1871. Died December 24, 1913.
First American Indian player in the majors. Outfielder for the Cleveland Spiders in 1897 and parts of 1898-1899. The team was nicknamed the "Indians" by sportswriters who were impressed by Sockalexis's hot hitting and fielding.
Although "Sock" faced tremendous prejudice and taunting from the crowds, he won them over with his easy smile and game-winning catches. Sadly, his career was cut short by drink and injury. He returned home to Indian Island, Maine, where he served as umpire in the Maine leagues and coached young Penobscot players.
Posted a lifetime batting average of .338. Batted lefthanded but was famous for his powerful right throwing arm that gunned down runners at the plate from deep right. He once set a speed record of running 100 yards in 10 seconds in full uniform, and stole 16 bases in one season.
Louis Sockalexis is remembered in the Holy Cross College Hall of Fame for his outstanding record in baseball, football and track. He posted averages of .436 and .444, and once made a throw of 414 feet from the outfield.
In 1985 he was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame. A campaign started by Maine author Ed Rice led to Sockalexis's induction into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000, along with his second cousin, Olympic marathoner Andrew Sockalexis.
Also by Siu Wai Stroshane
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Copyright © 2004 by Siu Wai Stroshane. Posted July 1, 2004.
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