Wright, John - Needle Nose

JOHN ‘NEEDLE NOSE’ WRIGHT

John Richard Wright, Sr. (Needle Nose) had a great career in the Negro Leagues as a pitcher for the Newark Eagles (1937-38), Atlanta Black Crackers (1938), Pittsburgh Crawfords (1938), Toledo Crawfords (1939), Indianapolis Crawfords (1940), and the Homestead Grays (1941-43, 1945, 1947-48).

In 1946, he was the second Negro player to be signed by the Dodgers, and joined Jackie Robinson in spring training.  He played in two games with the Dodgers’ minor league Montreal team, but ultimately returned to the Negro League Homestead Grays.