Win No. 1 for the Newk

Five days after his 18th birthday – and five years before reaching the major leagues in 1949 with Brooklyn – Don Newcombe of the Newark Eagles beats future Hall of Famer Josh Gibson and the Homestead Grays 9-2 in a Negro League game 80 years ago today.

The victory, before a crowd of 2,500 on Harrisburg's historic City Island, is Newcombe’s first in a pro career that includes a 10-year stay in the majors, where he will be named rookie of the year and most valuable player as well as win a Cy Young Award.

Newcombe finishes his career in the major leagues in 1960 with a record of 153-96 with his best work coming with the Dodgers, with whom the right-hander goes 123-66 in eight seasons with 111 complete games and 22 shutouts.