Paige debuts with Indians at 42

He spent only a short time in the American League, but Leroy “Satchel” Paige had a huge impact on the history of America’s National Pastime.

On July 9, 1948, Paige debuted with the Cleveland Indians after spending nearly 20 years barnstorming and playing in the Negro leagues.

A prolific workhorse before signing with Cleveland, Paige pitched in hundreds of games a year at his peak – traveling from town-to-town in search of paydays and competition.

In 1934, Paige faced off against Hall of Famer Dizzy Dean in an exhibition game.

Paige bested Dean in a 1-0, 13-inning contest, which Cleveland’s Hall of Fame owner Bill Veeck called “the best I’ve ever seen.”

Never sure of his age, some estimated Paige to be in his 50s upon his arrival in Cleveland. Officially listed as 42, the oldest rookie in American League history helped the Indians capture the 1948 pennant by compiling a 6-1 record while appearing in 21 games.

“Age is a question of mind over matter,” Paige once said. “If you don’t mind, it don’t matter.”

Paige spent two years in Cleveland before returning to the Negro Leagues for the 1950 season. After Veeck purchased the St. Louis Browns in 1951, he signed Paige to his new team. Paige would go on to pitch for the Browns during three campaigns, earning All-Star honors in 1952 and 1953.

After the 1953 season, the Browns released Paige and he jumped in and out of baseball for the next decade.

In 1965, the Kansas City Athletics signed the then 59-year-old Paige for a single game. Appearing against the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 25, Paige surrendered only one hit over three scoreless innings of work. Not yet finished with baseball, he hurled two innings for the Peninsula Grays of the Carolina League in 1966 before finally ending his professional career.

From start to finish, Paige’s time spent in professional baseball spanned four decades.

Over parts of six seasons in the American League, Paige tallied a 28-31 record with a 3.29 ERA.