James "Soldier Boy" Semler was an American sports executive who co-owned the New York Black Yankees of the Negro National League. For much of the club's history, he owned the team along with Bill Robinson.[1]

Career

Semler worked as a tailor in Harlem.[2]

When the Harlem Stars reorganized as the New York Black Yankees in 1932, Semler served as the club's inaugural secretary.[3] In 1933, Semler, with the help of Nat Strong, secured control of the team after president M.E. Goodson and treasurer Oscar Barnes withdrew their financial interests.[4] He retained the role of secretary while also acting as team president.[5]

In March 1935, George Scales, who managed the club from 1932 to 1934, sued Semler, arguing that he had no right to be team's sole owner.[6]

During the 1935 season, Semler expressed disinterest in the Black Yankees joining the Negro National League,[7] though the club would ultimately join the league for 1936.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Riley, James A. (1994). The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues. New York: Carroll & Graf. ISBN 0-7867-0959-6.
  2. ↑ "Black Yankees Improve Team". Brooklyn Times-Union. March 6, 1935. p. 10. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "George Scales to Manage Reorganized "Black Yankees"" (PDF). The New York Age. Fultonhistory.com. March 5, 1932. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  4. ↑ Rosee, Irwin N. (14 November 1934). "Black Yankees Kept Wolf From Door in Early Days". Brooklyn Times-Union. p. 15. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Semler Says Black Yanks Will Work With League". Pittsburgh Courier. March 3, 1934. p. 15. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "George Scales vs. James Semler". Brooklyn Times-Union. March 14, 1935. p. 14. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Just Below the Majors". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 5, 1935. p. 24. Retrieved January 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "1931 Harlem Stars". Seamheads Negro League Database.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.