Effa Manley
Thomas Holmes, MS
Baseball Writer | Baseball Historian | Sports Management Expert |Veteran
???????????????As Black History Month comes to an end, it is met with the beginning of Women’s History month. This is the best time to celebrate the life and endeavors of Effa Manley. Her efforts shaped the business side of baseball and advanced social justice movements of the time. As a pioneer, she was the first to merge successful Negro League players with White baseball. Manley is the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
???????????????Born to a mulatto mother and a white father, Manley’s race was often questioned. The light-skin girl was raised by her mother and black stepfather. Her mother claimed she is white, but she identified as black. She used her complexion to her advantage when needed. Another mystery of Effa’s is her birth year. Census records state Manley’s birth year of 1897 and other documents report 1900. During an interviewed, Manley claimed her birth year is 1900, same year as her headstone.
???????????????Manley’s story begins during the 1932 World Series. Babe Ruth and his Yankees took on the Chicago Cubs. This is where Effa met her second husband, Abe. Effa already had the love of baseball and Abe was already involved in the business side of baseball. After their marriage, Abe purchased the Brooklyn Eagles. In May 1935, the Brooklyn Eagles began their season at Ebbets Field. Effa brought in New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia to throw out the first pitch. Although the Eagles won that game, they did not finish with a winning record. This propelled Abe to purchase another team. Prior to the 1936 season Abe bought the Newark Dodgers, combined the team, and relocated all operations to Newark, New Jersey. This was a major turning point for the Manley’s and baseball.
???????????????Effa played an important and aggressive role. It was unusual to see a woman taking command of an organization. As Abe took on a role at the league level, Effa took over the operations at the team level. Effa pushed for a set game schedule. She knew with a set schedule she could market games better. Better marketing leads to higher attendance resulting in more profits. Effa took the newly found revenue and used it to improve the quality of life for her players. Better food was provided, better pay, and to include an improved team bus for road games. Effa used the elevated attendance as an opportunity to improve her organization but also an avenue to improve the Black community. She used her social influence to coordinate a boycott of a business that refused to hire Blacks. The business would allow Blacks to shop there but not to be employed there. The boycott was successful and brought change to the hiring policy. Another example of her community outreach was the anti-lynching campaign at Ruppert Stadium during which the ushers wore sashes that read “Stop Lynching.” When the war in Europe erupted, Manley focused on the war efforts. Times were difficult for all, Black or White, Effa knew it was her duty to bring baseball and other forms of entertainment to others. Once war ended, players returned to the field. Newark Eagles won the World Series in 1946.
???????????????The signing of Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers changed baseball in many ways. It opened a door to opportunities for many. These opportunities were beneficial for both players and owners. Some teams welcomed the idea of adding Black players to their team more than others; however, it brought new possibilities. Effa Manley and, then-owner of the Cleveland Indians, Bill Veeck agreed on selling Eagles player Larry Doby to the Indians turning him into the second Black player in baseball and first in the American League. Subsequently, Eagles outfielder Monte Irvin was sold to the New York Giants. In both situations Manley knew she was underpaid for these elite players. She also knew it was a good start for White baseball to formally recognize the abilities of Negro League players. It was the mutual respect among businessmen within the same industry she was seeking. Movement of these players was just the start. Larry Doby and Monte Irvin were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
???????????????Manley sold the team in 1948. Baseball was integrated which brought no need for the Negro Leagues. Negro League teams began to fold as attendance dropped. Eventually all the entire Negro League faded away. After baseball, Manley directed all her energy to the civil rights movement. Her success in business and baseball related social changes was valuable when influencing change in society.
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???????????????Effa Manley was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 as an executive for the Newark Eagles.