Jack Johnson

Who is Jack Johnson?

Jack "Topeka Jack" Johnson was a Negro Leagues Infielder and manager for several years before the founding of the first Negro National League.

"Topeka Jack" is a difficult player to track, since not only was there a world famous boxer Jack Johnson, there was also many players named Johnson during that period. Websites dedicated to baseball research also list at least three players who played under the name Jack Johnson between the years of 1907 and 1939.

Johnson played for the Chicago Union Giants in 1907, playing with George Hopkins, Albert Toney, and Joe Green.

He went on to play for and manage the Kansas City Giants from 1909 to 1911, landing players like Tullie McAdoo, Bill Pettus, a young 18-year old Bill Lindsay, Bingo DeMoss, and Hurley McNair.

Johnson was managing his own team in 1917, called "Jack Johnson's Topeka Giants" who played the All Nations base ball club.