James Chester Arthur Hefner Jr. (August 2, 1913 – May 2, 1988) was an American professional baseball center fielder in the Negro leagues. He played with the New York Black Yankees in 1948,[4] and the Philadelphia Stars in 1949.[5]
| Art Hefner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Center fielder | |
| Born: August 2, 1913 Brevard, North Carolina | |
| Died: May 2, 1988 (aged 74) Brevard, North Carolina | |
| Negro league baseball debut | |
| April 25, 1948, for the New York Black Yankees | |
| Last appearance | |
| September 18, 1949, for the Philadelphia Stars[3] | |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
|
Early life and career
editHeffner was born in Transylvania County, North Carolina on August 2, 1913, the son of James Chester Arthur and Mary Hefner (né Davis).[6] He made his Negro Major leagues debut on April 25, 1948 with the New York Black Yankees.[7][8] In February 1949, following the disbanding of the Yankees (itself part of the larger Negro league contraction necessitated by the exodus of star players to the recently integrated Major Leagues), Heffner was initially drafted by the Birmingham Black Barons,[9] but then acquired by Philadelphia prior to the start of the regular season.[10]
Post-retirement
editFollowing his baseball career, Hefner was employed by DuPont and served as a deacon in the Bethel "A" Baptist Church in Brevard.[6]
References
edit- ^ D & C staff (May 5, 1948). "Fleet centerfielder...". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. p. 32. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Record-Journal staff (August 5, 1948). "Insilicos Hosts to New York Black Yankees Tonight; Either Connell, Chapin to Oppose Negro Outfit". Record-Journal. p. 12. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Eagle staff (September 19, 1949). "Dexter Nine Splits Bill With Philly Stars". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 13. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ "Art Hefner Seamheads profile". seamheads.com. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Riley, James A. (1994). The Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Baseball Leagues. New York: Carroll & Graf. ISBN 0-7867-0959-6.
- ^ a b Citizen-Times staff (May 4, 1988). "Arthur Hefner, Former Pro Baseball Player". Asheville Citizen-Times. p. 16. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ News staff (April 25, 1948). "Bushwicks Meet Black Yanks in Two". New York Daily News. p. C43. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Eagle staff (April 26, 1948). "Dexters Split Twin Bill With Black Yankees". The Brooklyn Eagle. p. 14. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Courier staff (February 19, 1949). "AL Teams Draft Stars of Clubs Calling It Quits". The Pittsburgh Courier.
- ^ Courier-Journal staff (May 2, 1949). "Buckeyes Nip Stars 2–1 in Opener as Rain Limits Game to 5 Innings". The Louisville Courier-Journal. p. 11. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
Further reading
edit- Dispatch staff (August 25, 1945). "Negro Squads Clash". The York Dispatch. p. 8
- Telegraph staff (August 28, 1945). "Nashville Boasts Strong Infield". Harrisburg Telegraph. p. 11
- Telegraph staff (August 29, 1945). "Baltimore Giants to Face Nashville on Island Tonight". Harrisburg Telegraph. p. 13
- Journal staff (July 17, 1947). "Insilcos Face Asheville, N.C., Blues, Negro Southern Loop Champions, Tonight; Invaders Rated One of Top Colored Teams in Country". The Meriden Journal. p. 6
- Times staff (May 7, 1948). "Grays Battle Black Yankees". Chester Times. p. 20
- Lyle, George, Jr. (May 28, 1949). "On the Limb". New Journal and Guide. p. 12
- News staff (May 31, 1949). "Davis Excels as Houston Conquers Stars, 5 to 4". The Wilmington Morning News. p. 13
- News staff (July 11, 1949). "Mays' Single Gives Black Barons Win". The Birmingham News. p. 18
- Tribune staff (August 5, 1949). "Philly Stars and American Giants Split Doublebill". Alabama Tribune. p. 6
- C-T staff (September 18, 1952). "Negro Recreational Officers Are Named". Asheville Citizen Times. p. 12
- C-T staff (April 11, 1955). "Asheville Blues Whip Spinners". Asheville Citizen Times. p. 14
- C-T staff (May 22, 1957). "Corporations Are Chartered". Asheville Citizen Times. p. 9
- C-T staff (December 1, 1974). "News About Western North Carolina". Asheville Citizen Times. p. 11
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference and Baseball-Reference Black Baseball stats and Seamheads