House of David

[brewcrew82]

Has anybody read anything on this barnstorming team? I found a book about them, but would like to see if any of the other members have read it yet...Here is a link to that site, with several reviews.

I hadn't heard of this team up until a few days ago.

[Brownie31]

Has anybody read anything on this barnstorming team? I found a book about them, but would like to see if any of the other members have read it yet...Here is a link to that site, with several reviews.

I hadn't heard of this team up until a few days ago.

brewcrew82: I think Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched for them at one time. Were these the ones who wore beards? Brownie31

[brewcrew82]

Yes. they all wore beards and had long hair, and I'd read they had Grover Cleveland Alexander and Babe Didrikson on their team, amongst others.

[kramer_47]

House of David

Yes. they all wore beards and had long hair, and I'd read they had Grover Cleveland Alexander and Babe Didrikson on their team, amongst others.

They played against another great semipro team the Brooklyn Bushwicks, the Bushwicks played at Dexter Park. My uncle Bill was a pretty good catcher back in the 1920's and 1930's and played with my Uncle Willie a pitcher against and with the Bushwicks. The Bushwicks and the House of David had alot of major and minor league players play with them when the season was over. They also played against some of the best Negro league teams and Negro league all stars.

[brewcrew82]

Thats awesome! Did he also play minor league ball as well?

[Brian McKenna]

house of david was an israelite commune community in benton harbor, michigan started in 1903 - the original founder king benjamin purnell was eventually arrested in 1926 for taking liberties with over 100 young girls

others to play with the baseball teams:
satchel paige
dizzy and paul dean and their other brother goober
sig jakucki
larry jensen
frank mccormick
ossie orwal

their first ballpark was built in 1910

[Brownie31]

house of david was an israelite commune community in benton harbor, michigan started in 1903 - the original founder king benjamin purnell was eventually arrested in 1926 for taking liberties with over 100 young girls

others to play with the baseball teams:
satchel paige
dizzy and paul dean and their other brother goober
sig jakucki
larry jensen
frank mccormick
ossie orwal

their first ballpark was built in 1910

Thanks very much for the info! Does the House of David still exist? Brownie31

[Brian McKenna]

Thanks very much for the info! Does the House of David still exist? Brownie31

no - they faded during wwii - but one group picked up and barnstormed until 1955 - one of their basketball squads often played the globetrotters but disbanded in 1956

[brewcrew82]

Thanks very much for the info! Does the House of David still exist? Brownie31

Here is a wikipedia entry about the House of David, its reasonably short but it gives a brief overview of what happened to the commune. Yes, I know Wikipedia is not the most trusted source but for basic things such as this, it will suffice.

[kramer_47]

House of David

Thats awesome! Did he also play minor league ball as well?

No he didn't play minor league ball, he played mostly on weekends and made $5-10 a game and made more money then they were paying in the minors. He worked his regular job during the week, and played doubleheaders on Saturday and Sundays. Alot of pretty good players played semipro at Dexter park rather then go to class D pro ball for $75-100 a month. Also alot of major league quality players played in the Pacific Coast League because they made more money there then they could in the majors.

[Brownie31]

Here is a wikipedia entry about the House of David, its reasonably short but it gives a brief overview of what happened to the commune. Yes, I know Wikipedia is not the most trusted source but for basic things such as this, it will suffice.

brewcrew82: Thanks very much. Brownie31

[Brian McKenna]

. Also alot of major league quality players played in the Pacific Coast League because they made more money there then they could in the majors.

SOME did make comparable money - the weather and west coast life style attracted many to the pcl - large east coast cities intimidated many, others just did not like the large cities - a pcl series typically lasted a week - less travel - the season was longer - more paydays

but it wasn't a widespread many that stayed in the minors for that - it was their quality of play that kept them out of the majors