James Raleigh Mackey

James Raleigh Mackey. "Biz". "Biz" Mackey played and coached semi-pro baseball and professional baseball for nearly 34 years from 1916-1950. The 18 year old Luling native began playing baseball in 1916 for the Prairie League's Luling Oilers, and started his pro career two years later with the San Antonio Black Aces. He was a natural born leader, and although considered to be a premier catcher, he was adept at all positions. He was a line-drive hitting switch hitter that carried a .335 lifetime batting average, and was considered by many to be the greatest catcher that ever played in the Negro Leagues. His deadly accurate quick snap throw was legendary, and his superb batting skills placed him among the All-Time leaders in Total Bases, RBI's and Slugging Percentage. He loved keeping the game's best base-stealers nailed to their bag and once threw out Ty Cobb in five straight stealing attempts. Fellow Hall of Famer Roy Campanella recalled learning proper mechanics while being mentored by Mackey as a teenager, and considered Mackey to be a "defensive master", and the best catcher of his era. "Biz" Mackey amassed 2 batting titles, 2 world championships, and was a 5-time All-Star. He retired from baseball in 1950 and lived in Los Angeles until his death in 1965.