Louis Sockalexis

Louis Francis Sockalexis (October 24, 1871 – December 24, 1913), nicknamed "the Deerfoot of the Diamond", was a Penobscot professional baseball player. Sockalexis played in the major leagues from 1897–1899 as an outfielder for the Cleveland Spiders. Sockalexis is often identified as the first person of Native American ancestry to play in the National League and Major League Baseball.

Early life Louis Sockalexis was born on the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation near Old Town, Maine, in 1871. His grandfather was Chief of the Bear Clan. In his youth, Sockalexis' athletic talents were noticeable. It was reported that Sockalexis could throw a baseball across the Penobscot River from Indian Island to the shore of Old Town.

After completing his secondary education, Sockalexis began his college career in 1894 at the College of the Holy Cross. Sockalexis spent those summers playing baseball in the Trolley League along the coast of Maine. In his two seasons at Holy Cross, Sockalexis compiled a .444 batting average. Although he played exclusively as an outfielder in the majors, Sockalexis played outfield and pitcher while at Notre Dame and Holy Cross.

Later life and legacy Sockalexis suffered from tuberculosis and heart trouble in his later years.

Although Sockalexis had a brief career, he faced many obstacles during his time in professional baseball. It was reported that fans of the opposing teams often shouted racial slurs toward him due to his Penobscot heritage. Additionally, fans imitated war whoops and war dances in his presence.

In recognition of his accomplishments, the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame has elected Sockalexis. He was joined by his second cousin, marathon runner Andrew Sockalexis, who finished second in the 1912 and 1913 Boston Marathons and in fourth place at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm.

A plaque honoring Sockalexis stands in Cleveland's Heritage Park, beyond center field of Progressive Field.

Sockalexis is interred in the Old Town Cemetery in Old Town, Maine.

Disputed distinction There is no official position on the part of Major League Baseball as to who was the first Native American to play in the major leagues. In 1963, Baseball Hall of Fame historian Lee Allen wrote a frequently cited article claiming that Jim Toy, a catcher in the early American Association, was the first. This claim has spread widely enough that it is sometimes repeated without citation even in articles praising Sockalexis. In researching his biography of Sockalexis, journalist Ed Rice found only contradictions to Allen's claims, including a death certificate listing Toy's race as white. More to the point, Rice's research indicated that no contemporary reporting on Jim Toy in his playing days referred to him as Native and there is no indication that fans, players, or owners thought Toy was Native.