Who is Anthoney James? Or is it spelled Anthony? And where is he these days?
He was a catcher for Mary N. Smith High School’s baseball team in the spring of 1970, and apparently a pretty good one.
His name was among several that caught my eye on a list of All-District high-school baseball players printed in the June 14, 1970, edition of the Daily Press newspaper of Newport News.
It was the last All-District team that included players from segregated Mary N. Smith and Northampton County high schools, which were attended by African-American students.
Integration was completed on the Eastern Shore with the beginning of the next school year.
But the two local segregated high schools had players on the All-District One baseball team, which also featured players from white and black schools in Gloucester, Suffolk, Smithfield, and Southampton County.
The district apparently included the bigger schools — the Eastern Shore’s smaller-enrollment high schools were in their own district.
As you can see from the clipping below, it was a pretty good All-District One team.
Northampton’s Steve Warren was an all-district honorable mention pitcher, along with Yellow Jacket hurler Norman Gladden.
James was the first name listed as an all-district catcher, ahead of Northampton honorable mention catcher David Partin, who signed that summer with the Dodgers.
Northampton’s Charles Ames was an all-district first baseman, along with Gregory Taylor of Mary N. Smith. The honorable mention first baseman was Northampton County’s John Green.
Northampton County High’s Robert Denton was an honorable mention second baseman, along with Northampton’s Spencer Nottingham.
Lew Willis of Northampton achieved a remarkable feat and was named all-district at both third base and shortstop.
Eugene Johnson of Northampton was an honorable mention selection at third. Northampton’s Mike Ward was an honorable mention selection in right field.
Some of those names I recognize. At least two, Willis and Gladden, passed before their time.
What became of Anthoney James? Or is it spelled Anthony?