Black History Month - Jimmy "Seabiscuit" Wilkes

By Neil Srivastava

Jimmy "Seabiscuit" Wilkes fell in love with Canada in 1953 so much that he never left.

To say Wilkes was a gifted speedster would be an understatement.   His teammates nicknamed him "Seabiscuit" after the horse racing champion who, much like Wilkes, ran like the wind.

He was the starting Centerfielder for the legendary Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues during their 1946 Negro League Championship victory over Satchel Paige's KC Monarchs.    Wilkes would often dig out his old scrapbook filled with newspaper clippings and point to a box score of him collecting two hits off Paige in one of the games.

Legends tell of a catch made by Wilkes in that series at the Polo Grounds that on-lookers claim would rival Bobby Thompson's catch in the 1954 World Series.    

Wilkes played with Newark and moved with the club to Houston from 1945 to 1950 before Brooklyn Dodger scout   Dewey Griggs signed him for 1951.   He played in the Dodgers system for two seasons before returning to Negro League ball with the Indianapolis Clowns who were playing out of Buffalo, NY.    
While on a barnstorming tour of Ontario with the Clowns, Wilkes caught the attention of the Brantford Red Sox brass.   They signed him in 1953 for $500 a month and helped him find a job with the City of Brantford as a street sweeper in the warmer months and as a snowplow operator in the winter.  

The speedster whose ear-to-ear smile quickly endeared him to fans was equally impressed with the people of Brantford. So much so that he finished his playing career in the Telephone City and helped the Red Sox claim five Intercounty Championships from 1953 to 1965.  

 Anne Lear Chamberlain who grew up in Brantford fondly remembers seeing Wilkes driving the street sweeper and hearing children chasing Wilkes' vehicle calling out "Yogi" his nickname and he would affectionately yell back Boo Boo after the cartoon characters.  

With his playing career finished Wilkes, became an Umpire for the Intercounty and was among the most respected and trusted ball and strike callers the league ever had.   He retired as an umpire after 23 seasons in 1986. 

Wilkes' #5 is retired by the Red Sox and his jersey is on display at the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Fame.   

Special thanks to At The Plate,   Baseball Hall Of Fame Writer Bob Elliott, Author Paul. E. Allen and Anne Lear Chamberlain for their assistance with the research for this article.