Jack Johnson (baseball)

John Thomas "Topeka Jack" Johnson (April 25, 1883 – January 29, 1940) was a Negro Leagues infielder and manager for several years before the founding of the first Negro National League. He was also a professional boxer and trainer, and his nickname may have resulted from the need to distinguish him from the heavyweight champion Jack Johnson.

"Topeka Jack" Johnson
Infielder / Manager
Born: April 25, 1883 Topeka, Kansas
Died: January 29, 1940 Topeka, Kansas
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
1903, for the Chicago Union Giants
Last appearance
1911, for the Kansas City Giants
Teams
Chicago Union Giants (1903) to (1905), (1907) Topeka Giants (1906), (1917)[1] Minneapolis Keystones (1908)[2] Kansas City Giants (1909, 1911) Kansas City Royal Giants (1910)[3]

Johnson played for the Chicago Union Giants from 1903 to 1905 and again in 1907, his teammates including George Hopkins, Albert Toney, and Joe Green. He founded and managed the Topeka Giants in 1906, taking them on a tour of Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.[4]

He went on to play for and manage the Kansas City, Kansas, Giants in 1909 and 1911, and the Kansas City, Missouri, Royal Giants in 1910. During these years he worked with players like Tullie McAdoo, Bill Pettus, a young 18-year-old Bill Lindsay, Bingo DeMoss, and Hurley McNair.

In 1917 Johnson managed "Jack Johnson's Topeka Giants," a team that played at least one game against the All Nations base ball club.[1]