Luling in Caldwell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

James Raleigh Mackey

"Biz"

— Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York —

James Raleigh Mackey Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2022

1. James Raleigh Mackey Marker

Inscription. "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,

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and was a 5-time All-Star. He retired from baseball in 1950 and lived in Los Angeles until his death in 1965.

Erected by Luling Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 29° 40.881′ N, 97° 38.946′ W. Marker is in Luling, Texas, in Caldwell County. It is at the intersection of East Davis Street and Laurel Avenue, on the left when traveling west on East Davis Street. The marker is located in the eastern section of the Rafael Rios Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Luling TX 78648, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the Austin Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2022

2. James Raleigh Mackey Marker

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert "Skip" Rutherford (here, next to this marker); Sgt. James M. Logan (here, next to this marker); Emory D. Bellard (here, next to this marker); Welcome to Heritage Circle... (here, next to this marker); City of Luling (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Rafael Rios Park (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Luling (about 400 feet away); The Wright Building (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luling.

Also see . . . Biz Mackey. Wikipedia

Mackey was regarded as black baseball's premier catcher in the late 1920s and early 1930s. His superior defense and outstanding throwing arm were complemented by batting skill which placed him among the Negro leagues' all-time leaders in total bases, runs batted in and slugging percentage, while hitting over .300 for his career. Mackey was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.

(Submitted on August 25, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The James Raleigh Mackey Marker is the marker on the right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 21, 2022

3. The James Raleigh Mackey Marker is the marker on the right

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 25, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.