ST. LOUIS (Nov. 24) -- Bubba Hyde, a star outfielder
in the Negro Leagues whose career spanned four decades, died at 95.
He died Thursday after a brief
illness.
Hyde was among the first players
inducted in 1997 into the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame in Milwaukee. He
played for more than a dozen teams, beginning with the Memphis Red Sox
in 1927.
In 1950, Hyde tried to break into the majors with the Boston
Braves, daughter Almerth Owens-Long said. But he left training camp to
be with his wife, Edith, who was giving birth. He was cut by the Braves
and spent the next five years playing in Canada.
Hyde was exceptionally fast.
Owens-Long said her father used to race, and beat, horses running around
the baseball diamond.
Hyde played in exhibition
games with other Negro Leagues players into his 80s and delivered Meals
on Wheels until he turned 90, granddaughter Ingrid Owens said.
In addition to his daughter,
survivors include sisters Elizabeth Cowan and Annie Dee Walker and three
grandchildren.
