45 years ago, on March 18, 1981, a Hall of Famer and record holder of the Mexican Baseball League died in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His name was Alfred (Al) Pinkston, and he was from Newbern, Alabama.
American Major League Baseball only lists one official at-bat in one game for Al Pinkston. The records aren’t even clear on the outcome of that at-bat—only that Pinkston took it in 1948 for the Cleveland Buckeyes of the Negro League. He didn’t strike out; he wasn’t walked; and he didn’t make it to first, so odds are he either grounded or popped out. But that one major league at-bat doesn’t even scratch the surface of the story of Al Pinkston.
Early Life and Background
Al Pinkston was born in Newbern on October 22, 1917, one of eleven children of Eddie Pinkston and Viola Chatman Pinkston. Eddie was a sharecropper and a baseball organizer for amateur and semi-pro teams in and around the Selma area.
By the time he reached maturity, Al was 6’5″ and weighed 225 pounds. Those weren’t unusual numbers in the Pinkston family—father Eddie is said to have been 6’9″ and mother Viola 6’2.” Al played on his father’s barnstorming teams in Newbern, Selma, and other cities throughout the state.
Early Baseball Career
In 1936, at age eighteen, Al is said to have made the roster of the St. Louis Stars of the Negro League. There are no records of him playing in a game for the team, and he wasn’t on the roster very long.
There is little documentation of Pinkston’s baseball career between 1936 and 1947, when he joined the New Creoles of the Negro Southern Association.
Part of the gap is due to his service during World War II. Pinkston enlisted in the United States Army on August 7, 1941, at Fort McClellan—just four months prior to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Military Service and Personal Life
Pinkston was assigned to Camp Leroy Johnson in New Orleans, where he met his future wife, Vera Lewis. He was discharged in 1944, and the couple settled in the New Orleans area.
He played semi-pro ball and did some barnstorming—teams that traveled the country playing amateur and semi-pro competition. He also worked as a longshoreman on the Mississippi River and did carpentry and electrical work around the parish.
Rise as a Professional Player
Pinkston joined the New Creoles in 1947 and began his career as a full-time professional baseball player. He led the league in home runs with 23 in his first full season.
The Creoles played the Asheville Blues for the championship that year. The Blues won the title, but Pinkston’s performance caught the attention of larger teams.
In 1948, he was invited to spring training with the Cleveland Buckeyes. This is when he had his lone major league at-bat. He then unexpectedly left the team and returned to New Orleans.
Hank Presswood, a teammate, suggested:
“Al may have been worried about playing time. Our outfield was already set with three All-Stars.”
Age may have also been a factor—Pinkston was 31, though he reportedly told managers he was 22, knowing teams preferred younger rookies.
Dominance Across Leagues
Despite leaving the Buckeyes, Pinkston’s career was just beginning. He rejoined the Creoles in 1948 and became their leading hitter.
In 1949, he posted an extraordinary .385 batting average with 28 home runs.
He later played in Canada for the Farnham Pirates, recording a .301 average, 72 RBIs, and strong extra-base hitting stats.
In 1952 with the St. Hyacinthe A’s, he delivered:
- 173 hits
- 30 home runs
- 121 RBIs
- .360 batting average
Even into his mid-30s, Pinkston continued to lead teams in performance. In 1954 with the Savannah A’s, he again dominated with 102 RBIs and a .360 average.
Legendary Career in Mexico
At age 42, Pinkston joined the Mexico City Diablos Rojos (Red Devils). What followed was historic.
He won four consecutive batting titles in his first four seasons—a record that still stands in Mexican League Baseball.
In 1962, the Cleveland Indians invited him to spring training, but a severe elbow fracture ended that opportunity.
Even with bad knees and a damaged elbow, Pinkston played three more years with the Vera Cruz Rojos.
At age 47, in his final season (1965), he still led his team with:
- 27 doubles
- .345 batting average
Mexican fans nicknamed him “El Gigante” due to his size and presence. His career .372 batting average remains a record in Mexican baseball.
Later Life and Legacy
Pinkston returned to New Orleans and worked again as a longshoreman.
He was inducted into:
- The Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame (1974)
- The National Black Sports Hall of Fame (1977)
He died of a heart attack in 1981, shortly after moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his wife. He was buried in New Orleans.
Al Pinkston—El Gigante—a forgotten legend from Newbern, Alabama.
— Brian Clements
Rail Trail Project Feasibility Study on Track for April Completion
A feasibility study examining the potential for a multi-use rail trail connecting Selma, Marion, Greensboro, and Newbern is on track for completion by April, with a public consultation phase planned for May.
The study is part of Sweet Trails Alabama, a broader initiative to develop recreational trail infrastructure across the state. The Marion leg of the project has been organized through Main Street Marion.
A second public input session was held March 11 at the Harris Technology Hub in Marion. Discussion centered on:
- Community input regarding project staging
- Potential route options
- Safety features
The project team also emphasized connectivity, user experience, and minimizing environmental impact.
Next steps include:
- Finalizing trail maps
- Refining cost projections
- Developing strategies to promote tourism and safety awareness
Potential funding sources include federal and state grant programs.
A rail trail is a recreational path for walking, cycling, and other uses built along a former railroad corridor. These old rail beds provide a natural foundation for long-distance trails because they are already graded and relatively flat.
