The greatest third baseman in Negro League history is the 64th inductee into the Baseball Hall of Immortals.
Ray Dandridge began his career at the age of 19 with the Detroit Stars. Over the next six years Dandridge would establish himself as the premiere third baseman in the Negro Leagues.
A contact hitter, Dandridge could spray the ball to all fields. While stats are sporadic, from the data available Dandridge was a .350+ hitter, topping .400 in 1934.
Even more than his hitting, Dandridge was spectacular on defense, with a soft glove and strong throwing arm While third was his primary position, he was known to play shortstop and second-base as well.
In 1939 Dandridge moved to the Mexican League where he stay through the 1948 season. In 1947 Bill Veeck offered to make Dandridge the first black player in the American League. Dandridge would turn down the offer, not wanting to move his family and choosing to honor his contract with Veracruz. Unfortunately, he would never get another offer to play in the major leagues.
Dandridge did play for four years in AAA for the Minneapolis Millers, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP. In his final seasons there he became a mentor to Willie Mays.
The George Brett of the Negro and Mexican Leagues, Ray Dandridge is an Immortal.
