Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was born July 7, 1906.
He got his nickname "Satchel" as a child while he worked toting bags at a train station.
Paige started playing baseball in his hometown Mobile, Alabama, where he played for a number of local semi-pro teams.
His Negro League career began in 1926, when he was discovered by the Chattanooga Black Lookouts. It didn't take long for people to realize that Paige was special. He rose quickly through the ranks of the Negro League, and drew huge crowds wherever he played.
Although there was a lack of statistics to document Paige's greatness, his talent was undeniable. Before making it to the majors, he got an opportunity to pitch to New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio, who called him "the best and fastest pitcher I've ever faced."
In 1948, a year after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, Paige's dream of playing in the majors came true. On his 42nd birthday he became the oldest player to ever debut in the majors. Playing only the second half of the season, Paige went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA, and helped the Indians win the 1948 World Series.
At age 59 Paige pitched three scoreless innings for the Kansas City Athletics, making him the oldest player in MLB history.
The larger-than-life pitcher was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971 and died in 1982.
