The Ballclubs
Atlanta Black Crackers

Negro Southern League
Negro American League



The Atlanta Black Crackers were one of the original teams of the Negro Southern League, playing there from 1920 to 1936. In 1937, they played in the Negro American League and played the Memphis Red Sox in the league championship series. However, after Memphis took a three game to two lead over Atlanta, the series was canceled because of financial and scheduling disputes, and the Black Crackers left the league after that season. The franchise moved to Indianapolis briefly but then returned to Atlanta and reentered the Negro American League in 1938. They won the second-half title of the split season, but the championship series, again against Memphis, the first-half champions, was canceled after just two games. The name Crackers came from the Atlanta Crackers, the white team that played in the Southern Association. Both teams played at Ponce de Leon Park in Atlanta. Some of the players who were on the Black Crackers roster included second baseman Gabby Kemp, who also managed the 1938 squad, shortstop Pee Wee Butts, first baseman Red Moore, and pitchers Bo Mitchell and Bullet Dixon.
-- Thom Loverro
The Encyclopedia of Negro League Baseball