Biz Mackey

Catcher

Class of 2006

Biz Mackey

Catcher

Class of 2006
Roy Campanella referred to Biz Mackey as the “master of defense of all catchers.”

Games

Birth year

About Biz Mackey

Though somewhat overshadowed by such legendary names as Josh Gibson and Roy Campanella, when the Negro League's top catchers are discussed, Biz Mackey is among those considered the greatest of his era.

“Actually, as much as I admired Campanella as a catcher, all-around, and Gibson as a hitter,” said Hall of Famer Cool Papa Bell, “I believe Biz Mackey was the best catcher I ever saw.”

In fact, a 1954 Pittsburgh Courier poll saw Mackey edge Gibson as the greatest Negro league catcher.

Mackey would don the tools of ignorance in a career that spanned almost 30 years, from the early 1920s to the late 1940s. As a member of teams like the Hilldale Giants, Philadelphia Stars, Newark Eagles, Indianapolis ABCs and the Baltimore/Washington Elite Giants, he always proved to be a leader behind the plate or later as a manager.

Fellow Hall of Famer Cumberland Posey, a longtime Negro League executive, once said: “For combined hitting, thinking, throwing and physical endowment, there has never been another like Biz Mackey. A tremendous hitter, a fierce competitor...he is the standout among catchers.”

A line drive hitter whose batting average rarely dipped below .300, Mackey, named to five East-West All-Star teams, was a favorite receiver among pitchers and had a strong throwing arm.

“I’ve pitched to some great catchers, but my goodness, that Mackey was to my idea the best one I pitched to,” said Hall of Fame hurler Hilton Smith. “The way he handled you, the way he just built you up, believing in yourself. He was marvelous.”

Mackey has been given credit for furthering the development of a number of Negro Leaguers who would go on to success in the major leagues, such as Campanella, Monte Irvin and Larry Doby.

“In my opinion, Biz Mackey was the master of defense of all catchers,” Campanella said. “When I was a kid in Philadelphia, I saw both Mackey and Mickey Cochrane in their primes, but for real catching skills, I don’t think Cochrane was the master of defense that Mackey was.”

Mackey passed away on Sept. 22, 1965. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006.

The Basics

Year inducted
2006
Birth Place
Eagle Pass, Texas
Birth Year
1897
Died
1965, Los Angeles California

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
Hilldale Giants
Primary Position
Catcher
Played For
Indianapolis ABCs, 1920-1922
Hilldale Giants, 1923-1931
Homestead Grays, 1927
Baltimore Black Sox, 1928
Philadelphia Stars, 1933-1935
Baltimore/Washington Elite Giants, 1936-1939
Newark Eagles, 1939-1941
Newark Eagles, 1945-1947

Career MLB Stats

Games
894
At bats
3,072
Hits
1,008
Walks
297
Runs
497
Doubles
164
Triples
57
Home Runs
52
RBI
603
Stolen Bases
60
Batting Average
.328
Ops
.859
On Base %
.390
Slugging %
.469

Biz Mackey Stories

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

Negro Leagues Researchers and Authors Group