Pop Lloyd

Shortstop

Class of 1977

Pop Lloyd

Shortstop

Class of 1977
Pop Lloyd is considered to be one of the greatest shortstops in Negro League history.

Games

Birth year

About Pop Lloyd

Generally considered to be one of the top shortstops in Negro League history, Pop Lloyd enjoyed a 25-year career in which he regularly batted well over .300.

In a time when pitchers dominated the game, Lloyd found a way to score runs. With a great eye for the ball and fantastic bat control, he could drop in hits and bunt with precision. His play also translated to the basepaths and led to many stolen bases. Not only was he known to be the best at fielding his position during his era, but he was also a top run producer for his teams.

As a player, Lloyd spent time with the Cuban X-Giants, Philadelphia Giants, Chicago Leland Giants, New York Lincoln Giants, Chicago American Giants, New York Lincoln Stars, Brooklyn Royal Giants, New York Bacharach Giants, Columbus Buckeyes, Atlantic City Bacharach Giants, Hilldale Daisies and the Harlem Stars. Lloyd also managed four of those teams over a span of six years while playing, making his mark both on those who played with him and for him.

“Pop Lloyd was the greatest player, the greatest manager, the greatest teacher,” said Bill Yancey, a shortstop who played with him. “He had the ability and knowledge and, above all, patience. I did not know what baseball was until I played under him.”

During the four years Lloyd played for the American Giants, they were Western champions three times, and defeated the Eastern champs in the playoffs in both 1914 and 1917.

In Cuba, the shortstop was known as “El Cuchara,” “The Tablespoon” or “The Shovel,” for how he characteristically scooped up a glove-full of dirt from the ground every time he fielded a ball, similar to the style of Honus Wagner.

While Lloyd managed the Hilldale Daisies, the team brought home the first-ever Eastern Colored League pennant, winning the season with a 32-17 record. He earned the nickname “Pop” because he was mild-mannered as a leader with few bad habits, and approached the game as a gentleman.

Lloyd passed away on March 19, 1964. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977.

The Basics

Year inducted
1977
Birth Place
Palatka, Florida
Birth Year
1884
Died
1964, Atlantic City New Jersey

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
New York Lincoln Giants
Primary Position
Shortstop
Played For
Philadelphia Giants, 1907
Chicago Leland Giants, 1910
Lincoln Giants, 1912
Chicago American Giants, 1914-1917
Brooklyn Royal Giants, 1918-1920
Columbus Buckeyes, 1921
New York Bacharach Giants, 1922
Hilldale Giants, 1923
New York Lincoln Giants, 1926-1930

Career MLB Stats

Games
322
At bats
2,854
Hits
954
Walks
196
Runs
490
Doubles
142
Triples
39
Home Runs
21
RBI
350
Stolen Bases
97
Batting Average
Ops
On Base %
Slugging %

Pop Lloyd Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Dihigo, Lloyd blazed trails en route to Cooperstown

Negro Leagues Researchers and Authors Group