[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO DENNIS BIDDLE, THE PRIDE OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL IN 
                               WISCONSIN

                                 ______


                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, it is with pride today that I 
pay tribute to a great man from the city of Milwaukee, Mr. Dennis 
Biddle. As one of the finest players of the Negro Baseball League who 
now resides in the State of Wisconsin, I would like to take a moment to 
reflect on the life and accomplishments of this truly remarkable man.
  Born on June 24, 1935 in Arkansas, Mr. Biddle was blessed with 
natural-born athletic ability that allowed him to enter the world of 
professional baseball at the age of 17, making him the youngest player 
to emerge in the Negro league. As a player for the legendary Chicago 
American Giants, Mr. Biddle wasted no time breaking through the ranks 
and rising to the top of the Negro league. In his very first game in 
June 1953 against the Memphis Red Sox, he struck out 13 players and 
posted a 3 to 1 victory.
  Wisconsin was the site of perhaps Mr. Biddle's finest game, when he 
pitched against the Philadelphia Stars in Racine. He was facing Gerald 
``Lefty'' McKinnis who was famous for defeating Satchel Paige, perhaps 
the greatest pitcher in the history of American baseball. Despite his 
young age, Mr. Biddle led his team to a 3 to 1 victory, and earned the 
nickname ``The Man Who Beat The Man Who Beat the Man'', and a place in 
the heart of baseball fans everywhere.
  Because Jackie Robinson already had broken the color barrier, Mr. 
Biddle knew it was just a matter of time before he would join the ranks 
of major league baseball. Indeed, his 30-7 record over 2 years in the 
Negro leagues caught the attention of the Chicago Cubs who pursued 
Biddle for their squad. Regretfully, Mr. Biddle broke his leg during 
spring training in 1955, ending his brief but brilliant pitching 
career.
  Despite the end of his career in baseball, Mr. Biddle remains a 
powerful force in Milwaukee, lending his rich institutional memory for 
the betterment of our community. On most weekends, Mr. Biddle can be 
found speaking with young people, giving them advice and direction 
through a discussion of his rich life experiences. He is a devoted 
community advocate, working with Milwaukee youth on a regular basis at 
Career Youth Development [CYD], one of Milwaukee's premier social 
service agencies.
  Mr. Biddle's experiences and lessons are more valuable today than 
ever before. Through his lecturing, teaching, and outreach, Mr. Biddle 
is able to bring us back to a time and a place when baseball was played 
for honor and glory. Last year, the Negro league celebrated its 75th 
anniversary, and Mr. Biddle joined with the league's 214 remaining 
league veterans at their museum in Kansas City. At this reunion, Mr. 
Biddle reaffirmed his commitment to educating the public about the 
wealth of history contained in the archives of the Negro league. 
Players like Satchel Paige, Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, and Buck 
Leonard, and teams like the Milwaukee Bears, the Kansas City Monarchs, 
and the Homestead Grays, whose story must be preserved for future 
generations.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Mr. 
Dennis Biddle. I join with the city of Milwaukee in praising this 
outstanding individual, and wish him continued success in our 
community.

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