Delmar Loop in University City in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Cool Papa Bell

Born May 17, 1903

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 7, 2018

1. Cool Papa Bell Marker

Inscription. Major League Baseball was closed to Blacks until 1947, relegating some of the game's best players to the Negro Leagues. One of them was James Thomas Bell, who joined the St. Louis Stars in 1922. Nicknamed Cool Papa for his composure, Bell played and coached professional baseball for 29 years, known as the fastest player ever, Cool Papa often stole two bases on one pitch or scored from second on a sacrifice fly. Satchel Paige said Bell could turn off the light and "be in bed before the room was dark." He batted .400 several times and stole 175 bases in one year. Cool Papa Bell was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

Erected 1991 by St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Baseball Hall of Famers, and the Missouri, St. Louis Walk of Fame series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 17, 1903.

Location. 38° 39.347′ N, 90° 18.13′ W. Marker is in University City, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in Delmar Loop. It is on Delmar Boulevard west of Limit Avenue, on the right

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when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6265 Delmar Blvd, Saint Louis MO 63130, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: From Humble Beginnings, a World Class Street Is Born! (here, next to this marker); Gerald Early (here, next to this marker); William "Bill" Clay (a few steps from this marker); Sally Benson (a few steps from this marker); Bill Mauldin (a few steps from this marker); Visit The Loop! (a few steps from this marker); Mary Wickes (a few steps from this marker); David Sanborn (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all

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markers in University City.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers about Cool Papa Bell

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 461 times since then and 28 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on October 12, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.