BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN BRUCH FRANKLIN PETWAY WAS A NEGRO LEAGUE CATCHER IN BASE BALL : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

Bruce Franklin Petway  born Nashville, Tennessee in December 23, 1885 - died Chicago, Illinois in July 4, 1941 was a Negro League catcher in the early 20th century who came to be known as having one of the best

throwing arms in the league. He is also said to have been one of the first to have consistently thrown to second base without coming out of the squat.

Petway left a career in medicine to pursue baseball, playing for a number of Negro League teams, most notably the Leland Giants (1906, 1910), Philadelphia Giants (1907–1909), Chicago American Giants (1911–1918), and the Detroit Stars (1919–1925).

While playing in Cuba in 1910, he reportedly threw Ty Cobb out three times, in three attempts to steal. That year, he batted .390, showing off his hitting skills as well. He also led the Cuban League in stolen bases in 1912, when he picked up 20, a rarity for a catcher even at the time.

He played with the Stars into the 1920s when he continued to post solid numbers, while simultaneously managing the team, as many stars did in that day. With Detroit, he played with such greats as Pete Hill and future New York Black Yankees' star Bill Holland.