Definition
Bob Saunders (January 6, 1902 – February 12, 1983) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in the Negro leagues during the 1926 season, appearing for the Kansas City Monarchs and the Detroit Stars.
Overview
Born in Roslyn, Washington, Saunders entered Negro league baseball in 1926, the year he debuted with the Kansas City Monarchs. Later that season he also pitched for the Detroit Stars, marking the extent of his documented professional career. His playing statistics are limited; contemporary records do not specify his batting or throwing hands, and his career is often noted as brief. Some historical sources have conflated his record with that of another player, Augustus Saunders, leading to occasional ambiguity in the archival data. Saunders died in Seattle, Washington, at the age of 81.
Etymology/Origin
The name “Bob” is a common diminutive of “Robert,” a given name of Germanic origin meaning “bright fame.” “Saunders” is an English patronymic surname derived from “Alexander,” indicating “son of Alexander.” Thus, “Bob Saunders” reflects a typical Anglo‑American naming convention.
Characteristics
- Position: Pitcher (specific pitching hand undocumented).
- Teams: Kansas City Monarchs (1926); Detroit Stars (1926).
- League: Negro National League, a major African‑American baseball organization operating during the era of racial segregation in U.S. professional sports.
- Career Span: Documented activity confined to the 1926 season; no further professional appearances are recorded in mainstream statistical databases.
- Statistical Record: Available data are sparse; the Seamheads Negro Leagues Database and Baseball‑Reference list his participation but lack comprehensive pitching metrics such as win–loss record, earned run average, or strikeouts.
Related Topics
- Negro league baseball and its historical significance.
- Kansas City Monarchs – one of the most successful Negro league franchises.
- Detroit Stars – a prominent Negro league team based in Detroit, Michigan.
- African‑American athletes in early 20th‑century United States.
- Biographical references: The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues (James A. Riley, 1994).