Silas Simmons
Encyclopedia
Silas Joseph "Si" Simmons (October 14, 1895? – October 29, 2006) was an American
semi-professional
and professional
baseball
player for African-American teams in the pre-Negro League
era, and became the longest-lived professional baseball player in history. The previous record was held by Chet Hoff
, who died at age 107 in 1998.
. He was a five-foot-ten, left-handed pitcher
/outfielder
, and began playing for the Germantown
Blue Ribbons, a semi-pro team, in 1911. In 1913
, the Blue Ribbons became a professional team and were renamed the Homestead Grays
, a team that quickly became a Negro League powerhouse.
As late as 1926
, Simmons pitched for the New York Lincoln Giants of the Eastern Colored League
and appeared in at least one game in 1929 for the New York-based Cuban Stars (East)
of the Negro National League
. During his career, Simmons played on the same team as Hall of Famer Pop Lloyd and against Hall of Famers Judy Johnson
and Biz Mackey
. Simmons ended his baseball career soon after 1929.
Simmons was married at Philadelphia
by Rev. John L. Lee September 15, 1915 to Mary L. "Mamie" Smith (July 19, 1896 – ca. 1944). He and his wife Mary had five children and settled into life as a porter. He later became an assistant manager at Rosenbaum's Department Store in Plainfield, New Jersey
. After 29 years of marriage Mamie died ca. 1944. In 1957 Simmons married his second wife, Rebecca Jones (1901 – August 20, 1997). In 1971, he retired to St. Petersburg, Florida
, where he lived for the rest of his days. After 40 years of marriage, Rebecca died at the age of 96 in 1997. Simmons lived to be at least 108, and outlived all five of his children. At the time of his death Simmons had nine grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren.
In the fall of 2005, baseball history buff and genealogist
David Allen Lambert of the New England Historic Genealogical Society
rediscovered Simmons. Lambert alerted fellow baseball historians associated with the Negro Leagues, who proceeded to interview this link to early baseball. In May 2006, Dr. Layton Revel – founder of Texas-based Center for Negro League Baseball Research – met and interviewed Simmons. He also organized the 111th birthday celebration for him, in 2006. It included around 30 former Negro League players from around Florida
. A plaque was presented to Silas on his birthday on behalf of the Society for American Baseball Research
by Lambert. He was also presented a team jersey with number "111" from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
.
Simmons died 15 days later at the Westminster Suncoast Nursing Home in St. Petersburg.
. This is supported by his World War I
draft registration card. Silas was married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 15, 1915. On this record of marriage he signs his name and gives his birthdate as October 14, 1893. The 1900 census lists Silas as having been born in November 1897, which would make him 108 years old at the time of his death. However, the ages in the U.S. Census were often incorrectly recorded; a neighbor could easily have given the information if the resident was not home. Silas' mother, Amy, is listed as having been born in 1882, which suggests she gave birth at age 15 (if in 1897) or age 13 (if in 1895). Ages in draft registration cards have also been wrong (for Moses Hardy
it lists him as born June 5, 1894). However, even if Silas were only 108 at his death, he still would have been older than Chet Hoff
, making Silas the longest-lived person to have ever played professional baseball. Hoff remains the oldest Major League Baseball
player all the same.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
semi-professional
Semi-professional
A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an amateur, but for whom sport is not a full-time occupation, generally because the level of pay is too low to make a reasonable living based solely upon that source, thus making the athlete not a full professional...
and professional
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player for African-American teams in the pre-Negro League
Negro league baseball
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
era, and became the longest-lived professional baseball player in history. The previous record was held by Chet Hoff
Chet Hoff
Chester Cornelius Hoff was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Biography:Born in Ossining, New York, he pitched for the New York Highlanders from 1911–1913 and for the St. Louis Browns in 1915.Hoff made his major league debut on September 6, 1911...
, who died at age 107 in 1998.
Biography
Simmons was born in Middletown, DelawareMiddletown, Delaware
Middletown is a town in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the town is 18,871.-Geography:Middletown is located at with an elevation of ....
. He was a five-foot-ten, left-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
/outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, and began playing for the Germantown
Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Germantown is a neighborhood in the northwest section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, about 7–8 miles northwest from the center of the city...
Blue Ribbons, a semi-pro team, in 1911. In 1913
1913 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: Philadelphia Athletics over New York Giants -Awards and honors:*Chalmers Award** Walter Johnson, Washington Senators, P** Jake Daubert, Brooklyn Dodgers, 1B-MLB statistical leaders:1MLB Triple Crown Winner for Pitching...
, the Blue Ribbons became a professional team and were renamed the Homestead Grays
Homestead Grays
The Homestead Grays were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro leagues in the United States. The team was formed in 1912 by Cumberland Posey, and would remain in continuous operation for 38 seasons. The team was based in Homestead, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Pittsburgh.-Franchise...
, a team that quickly became a Negro League powerhouse.
As late as 1926
1926 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: St. Louis Cardinals over New York Yankees *Negro League World Series: Chicago American Giants over Bacharach Giants -Awards and honors:*League Award**George Burns, Cleveland Indians, 1B**Bob O'Farrell, St...
, Simmons pitched for the New York Lincoln Giants of the Eastern Colored League
Eastern Colored League
The Mutual Association of Eastern Colored Clubs, more commonly known as the Eastern Colored League , was one of the several Negro leagues, which operated during the time organized baseball was segregated.- History :...
and appeared in at least one game in 1929 for the New York-based Cuban Stars (East)
Cuban Stars (East)
The Cuban Stars were a team of professional baseball players from Cuba and other Latin American countries who competed in the Negro leagues in the eastern United States from 1916 to 1933...
of the Negro National League
Negro National League (the first)
The Negro National League was one of the several Negro leagues which were established during the period in the United States in which organized baseball was segregated. Led by Rube Foster, owner and manager of the Chicago American Giants, the NNL was established on February 13, 1920 by a...
. During his career, Simmons played on the same team as Hall of Famer Pop Lloyd and against Hall of Famers Judy Johnson
Judy Johnson
William Julius "Judy" Johnson was an American third baseman in Negro league baseball.Johnson was born in Snow Hill, Maryland. Although his father wanted him to be a boxer, Johnson, who was 5 ft 11 in and only 150 lb , was far better suited for a career in baseball...
and Biz Mackey
Biz Mackey
James Raleigh "Biz" Mackey was an American catcher and manager in Negro league baseball. He came to be regarded as black baseball's premier catcher in the late 1920s and early 1930s...
. Simmons ended his baseball career soon after 1929.
Simmons was married at Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
by Rev. John L. Lee September 15, 1915 to Mary L. "Mamie" Smith (July 19, 1896 – ca. 1944). He and his wife Mary had five children and settled into life as a porter. He later became an assistant manager at Rosenbaum's Department Store in Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population increased to a record high of 49,808....
. After 29 years of marriage Mamie died ca. 1944. In 1957 Simmons married his second wife, Rebecca Jones (1901 – August 20, 1997). In 1971, he retired to St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg, Florida
St. Petersburg is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. It is known as a vacation destination for both American and foreign tourists. As of 2008, the population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau is 245,314, making St...
, where he lived for the rest of his days. After 40 years of marriage, Rebecca died at the age of 96 in 1997. Simmons lived to be at least 108, and outlived all five of his children. At the time of his death Simmons had nine grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren.
In the fall of 2005, baseball history buff and genealogist
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
David Allen Lambert of the New England Historic Genealogical Society
New England Historic Genealogical Society
The New England Historic Genealogical Society is the oldest and largest genealogical society in the United States, founded in 1845. A charitable, nonprofit educational institution, NEHGS is located at 99-101 Newbury Street, in Boston, Massachusetts, in an eight-story archive and research center....
rediscovered Simmons. Lambert alerted fellow baseball historians associated with the Negro Leagues, who proceeded to interview this link to early baseball. In May 2006, Dr. Layton Revel – founder of Texas-based Center for Negro League Baseball Research – met and interviewed Simmons. He also organized the 111th birthday celebration for him, in 2006. It included around 30 former Negro League players from around Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. A plaque was presented to Silas on his birthday on behalf of the Society for American Baseball Research
Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research was established in Cooperstown, New York, in August 1971 by Bob Davids of Washington, D.C. The Society's mission is to foster the research and dissemination of the history and record of baseball, while generating interest in the game...
by Lambert. He was also presented a team jersey with number "111" from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
.
Simmons died 15 days later at the Westminster Suncoast Nursing Home in St. Petersburg.
Age issue
Silas listed his birthdate as October 14, 1895, the same year as Babe RuthBabe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
. This is supported by his World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
draft registration card. Silas was married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
September 15, 1915. On this record of marriage he signs his name and gives his birthdate as October 14, 1893. The 1900 census lists Silas as having been born in November 1897, which would make him 108 years old at the time of his death. However, the ages in the U.S. Census were often incorrectly recorded; a neighbor could easily have given the information if the resident was not home. Silas' mother, Amy, is listed as having been born in 1882, which suggests she gave birth at age 15 (if in 1897) or age 13 (if in 1895). Ages in draft registration cards have also been wrong (for Moses Hardy
Moses Hardy
Moses Hardy was, at age 112 or 113, the last black veteran of World War I and one of the last surviving American veterans of that war. The son of former slaves, Hardy was born in either 1893 or 1894 and lived a religious and farming life until he signed up to serve overseas in World War I in July...
it lists him as born June 5, 1894). However, even if Silas were only 108 at his death, he still would have been older than Chet Hoff
Chet Hoff
Chester Cornelius Hoff was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Biography:Born in Ossining, New York, he pitched for the New York Highlanders from 1911–1913 and for the St. Louis Browns in 1915.Hoff made his major league debut on September 6, 1911...
, making Silas the longest-lived person to have ever played professional baseball. Hoff remains the oldest Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player all the same.
See also
- CentenarianCentenarianA centenarian is a person who is or lives beyond the age of 100 years. Because current average life expectancies across the world are less than 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity. Much rarer, a supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 or more, something only...
- Longevity claimsLongevity claimsLongevity claims assert extreme human longevity. Those asserting lifespans of 110 years or more are referred to as supercentenarian. Many have either no official verification or are backed only by partial evidence...
- Closeup from his 1915 Marriage showing his birthdate
- Image from 1900 US Census listing of Simmons
- Image of Simmons' World War I draft registration
External links
- Article Silas Simmons' passing as announced by the Society of American Baseball Research
- 1913 Image of Simmons and information about his recent discovery
- Interview and photos from the Orlando Sentinel, October 10, 2006
- Tampa Bay Devil Rays honor Silas Simmons and other Negro League players in 2006
- New York Times article
- San Diego Union Tribune notice
- Indianapolis Star article
- Genealogical Blog article
- Philadelphia article
- Blog "God of Sports" mention of the recent finding of Simmons
- Philadelphia Inquirer story
- Silas Simmons and the Fountain of Youth - Thomasville, North Carolina Times
- Birthday celebration for Simmons - from the Sun Sentinel, October 10, 2006
- St. Petersburg Times article, October 14, 2006
- Video of Simmons birthday party on October 14, 2006 from Tampa Channel 10 News
- Obituary from the New York Times (incorrectly identifying Carl Boles as the presenter of the SABR plaque: this plaque was presented by David Allen Lambert)
- Obituary from the Orlando Sentinel
- Notice of Silas' death reported with the incorrect birthyear of 1885
- - Biography of Silas Simmons from the Negro League Baseball Players Association website
- http://web.archive.org/web/20061112212918/http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=292663364&channel=245991663Video Interview of Silas Simmons (September 2006) by Alan SchwarzAlan SchwarzAlan Schwarz is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated reporter at the The New York Times best known for writing more than 100 articles that exposed the seriousness of concussions among football players of all ages...
of the New York Times]