There are currently 268 male baseball players who have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but did you ever wonder who is the only woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Did you know there is a woman who is a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame? Many players get a chance to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, many lose that chance, either by not receiving enough votes or by being banned for life (such as Pete Rose).
Who is the only woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Have you ever wondered who is the only woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame? It was Effa Manley, who became the first and only woman ever to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
A glimpse into the life of Effa Manley
Effa Manley was born in Philadelphia. After completing school, she did some vocational training in things such as cooking and sewing. Later, she started a hat-making business.
She was a black woman, but her mother was white. She was raised by her black stepfather and mother. Since her biological father’s skin color is unknown, for many years critics debated her racial background. Effa Manley always enjoyed the confusion her skin color created. However, she recognized herself as a black woman and was proud of the color of her skin.
Effa Manley was not a baseball player, so why is she part of the Baseball Hall of Fame? Let’s find out!
Effa Manley and the Newark Eagles
Effa Manley was always interested in baseball. She had a love for it and felt happy while enjoying the athleticism displayed on the diamond. She met Abe Manley, later her husband, during a New York Yankees game. He was the owner of Newark Eagles, based in New York. Abe involved Effa in his business upon recognizing her extreme love for sports.
Manley was phenomenal when it came to marketing. She took part in the club’s marketing area, and many times scheduled promotions for Civil Rights Movement. What made her more prominent in the club was hard work and her continuous efforts to build a brand. Effa Manley’s efforts finally paid off when Newark Eagles won the Negro World Series in 1946. Manley became co-owner of Newark Eagles with her husband.
Throughout the league, she actively participated in improving the overall conditions of the players. From better payouts to understandable game scheduling to accommodations of players, Manley handled everything flawlessly. Due to her continuous struggles and determination, her players were able to enjoy air-conditioned Flexible Clipper buses. This was a luxury for anyone playing in the Negro Leagues.
After managing the marketing side of Newark Eagles like a boss, Effa Manley started looking out for the complete business operations side. She managed the team, scheduled their games, organized team traveling concerns, maintained payroll issues, purchased better equipment, negotiated every contract, and strategically managed publicity and promotions.
Can you believe Fiorello La Guardia, New York City’s mayor, and Charles C. Lockwood, the justice of the Supreme Court of New York, watched the Newark Eagles’ inaugural game in 1935? It was all thanks to Effa Manley and her persistence that resulted in more than 185 VIPs watching the game.
One of the major accomplishments for Effa Manley was when Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson (Jack Roosevelt Robinson). Manley wanted to challenge the color barrier in Major League Baseball. She fought bravely to see that dream become a reality, and her hard work paid off when Robinson was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Effa Manley continued to fight for better compensation and real recognition of Negro League contracts. Due to the continuous efforts of Manley, Lawrence Eugene Doby (better know as Larry Doby) became the second black player from the Negro Leagues to make a debut in MLB. She established a precedent for Negro players with better compensations.
It was Effa Manley alone whose efforts paved a way for black players to enter the world of Major League Baseball. Due to her persistence and dedication, the Newark Eagles were taken seriously. The measure of respectability she receives to date is unimaginable. She did change the lives of players in the Negro Leagues and helped them in becoming a voice in MLB.
Effa Manley’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame
In 2006, Effa Manley was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues. When she was inducted into the Hall of Fame, many veterans applauded the special committee for recognizing her efforts and talent.
Monte Irvin, a former Hall of Fame recipient and player from Negro Leagues, praised the process. He believed that Effa Manley did a lot for every Negro Leagues player and the game. It was Manley who made sure that the black players always get fair compensation. Today, even after her death, the players are impacted by her confidence and determination.
Throughout her life, Manley remained a great advocate for the black players and was a civil rights activist. She believed in empowering people, rather than crushing them to reach the top.
Final thoughts on Effa Manley
No one has ever done so much for baseball. Effa Manley, being a woman, broke all the barriers and continued advocating for the rights of black players. She believed that the color of the skin cannot and should never discourage someone from achieving their dreams.
Effa Manley believed in equal behavior for every player, regardless of the color of their skin. Now, if anyone ever asks you who is the only woman ever inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, you know that it is Effa Manley.