Honoring Oscar

Oscar Charleston (Dick Perez portrait)

Outfielder Oscar Charleston, one of the game's greatest players who spends four summers on City Island with the all-Black Harrisburg Giants of the mid-1920s, is elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame 48 years ago today.

His election comes exactly five years to the day after pitcher Satchel Paige becomes the first Black player to join the Hall after spending all or most of his career in the Negro Leagues.

Charleston is part of the Hall's Class of ’76, which includes pitchers Robin Roberts and Bob Lemon.

During his four seasons in Harrisburg, Charleston plays with Rap Dixon and Fats Jenkins in an outfield that some historians consider one of the best in history, no matter the color.

“Oscar Charleston could have played on any big league team in history if he had been given the opportunity,” says Honus Wagner, the longtime Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop who is a member of the Hall of Fame’s inaugural Class of ‘36.

“He could hit, run and throw. He did everything a great outfielder was supposed to do,” Wagner says. “I’ve seen all the great players in the many years I’ve been around and have yet to see one any greater than Charleston.”