Donaldson, John W.

JOHN W. DONALDSON

John was precise pitcher with nasty curve ball.  He was one of the greatest left-handed Negro League pitchers. John Henry Lloyd considered him as the toughest pitcher that he ever faced.  John’s career spanned 22 years:

  • 1912 - Tennessee Rats
  • 1913-17 - All Nations
  • 1917 - Gilkerson’s Union Giants & Chicago Giants
  • 1918 - Indianapolis ABC’s, Brooklyn Royal Giants, Lincoln  Giants.
  • 1919 - Detroit Stars
  • 1920-24 -Kansas City Monarchs
  • 1924-30 - Independent teams
  • 1931-32 - Donaldson All Stars
  • 1934 - Kansas City Monarchs

New York Giants manager John McGraw once stated that if Donaldson were white, his value would have been $50,000.