Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige called Turkey Stearnes “one of the greatest hitters we ever had. He was as good as Josh [Gibson]. He was as good as anybody who ever played ball”.
Off the field, Norman Thomas “Turkey” Stearnes had a quiet, unassuming personality. Teammate Paul Stevens recalled “[he was] very quiet. About all he would say were ‘yes’ and ‘no’ – he was never a fellow to pop off.”
But Stearnes was far from reserved on the ball field.
