“Turkey” Stearnes was born in Nashville and got his nickname at an early age from his unusual running style. He was a pitcher at Pearl High School in Nashville, but at age fifteen he left school for the workplace after his father died.
Later, he continued his baseball pursuits, playing with southern teams in the Negro League, including the Nashville Elite Giants and the Montgomery Grey Sox, before being discovered by Detroit Stars’ manager Bruce Petway in 1923. Many felt that Stearnes was the league’s best kept secret.
He was a five time All-Star selection to the East-West All- Star Classic in Chicago. He was a home run hitter with scorching speed. “I never counted my home runs,” Turkey said. “If it didn’t win a game, it didn’t matter.”
During his career, Turkey quietly gobbled up three batting titles – in 1931 and 1939 with .350 averages, and in 1935 with a career high .430. Stearnes is considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the history of baseball, but, due to his race and his quiet personality, he never received the recognition that he deserved. He batted over .400 three times, and led the Negro Leagues in home runs seven times. He is credited with 183 home runs in his career, the all-time Negro League record, and fifty more than second-place Mule Suttles. Stearnes finished his active career in 1941 with the Kansas City Monarchs.
Afterwards, he played briefly for the local semi-pro Detroit Black Sox, and ended his career at age 44 with the Toledo Cubs of the newly formed United States League in 1945. His trophy collection includes three batting championships and six home run crowns, but unfortunately he did not live to see his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. A plaque in Stearnes’ honor is on display outside the center field gate at the Tigers’ home field, Comerica Park.
“He could hit it over the right-field fence, over the left-field fence, or center-field fence. He was one of the greatest hitters we ever had. He was as good as anybody who ever played baseball.” – Satchel Paige