Chris Boucher
@chrisboucher.bsky.social
Writer, instructional designer, Bucky Lew biographer
As he wrote in an Around the Town column after Lew’s death in 1963: “Bucky was a Negro and in those days they didn’t like to see Negroes playing on white teams and many is the time the fans refused to let him play — not in this city though … He was a great favorite.”
May 27, 2025 at 7:53 PM
As he wrote in an Around the Town column after Lew’s death in 1963: “Bucky was a Negro and in those days they didn’t like to see Negroes playing on white teams and many is the time the fans refused to let him play — not in this city though … He was a great favorite.”
Fred Dobens, who went on to become the Nashua Dodgers’ president, assured them Black players would be welcome in the city. He knew because he played at halftime of Bucky Lew’s games there in early 1920s.
May 27, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Fred Dobens, who went on to become the Nashua Dodgers’ president, assured them Black players would be welcome in the city. He knew because he played at halftime of Bucky Lew’s games there in early 1920s.
It’s a little-known fact that basketball’s 1st Black pro assisted the Dodgers in reintegrating major league baseball.
After Robinson had so much trouble in Florida, they struggled to find a city to host their 1st integrated farm team in the US until they reached a newspaperman in Nashua, NH.
After Robinson had so much trouble in Florida, they struggled to find a city to host their 1st integrated farm team in the US until they reached a newspaperman in Nashua, NH.
May 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
It’s a little-known fact that basketball’s 1st Black pro assisted the Dodgers in reintegrating major league baseball.
After Robinson had so much trouble in Florida, they struggled to find a city to host their 1st integrated farm team in the US until they reached a newspaperman in Nashua, NH.
After Robinson had so much trouble in Florida, they struggled to find a city to host their 1st integrated farm team in the US until they reached a newspaperman in Nashua, NH.
Interesting shot - there are literally 6 people within 5 feet of the hoop!
May 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Interesting shot - there are literally 6 people within 5 feet of the hoop!
Gerry Finn, the Springfield Union reporter who interviewed Lew just before it opened its doors, asked way back in 1958: “When they’re handing out memberships in the Basketball Hall of Fame, how about a vote for Bucky Lew? Is there anyone in the hall who can say he doesn’t deserve it?”
April 22, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Gerry Finn, the Springfield Union reporter who interviewed Lew just before it opened its doors, asked way back in 1958: “When they’re handing out memberships in the Basketball Hall of Fame, how about a vote for Bucky Lew? Is there anyone in the hall who can say he doesn’t deserve it?”
If the NBA recognized 1949 as their actual first year, they could say they were an integrated league from the start, since as Elias points out, Leroy Chollet played for Syracuse then. But starting in 1946 makes them a segregated league, one that rebuilt the color wall Bucky Lew tore down in 1902!
March 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
If the NBA recognized 1949 as their actual first year, they could say they were an integrated league from the start, since as Elias points out, Leroy Chollet played for Syracuse then. But starting in 1946 makes them a segregated league, one that rebuilt the color wall Bucky Lew tore down in 1902!
Albert Spalding was involved in what is likely the first instance of a corporation receiving naming rights to a stadium. The Lowell Tigers’ Fred Lake called his new baseball field “Spalding Park” after the sporting goods company. The price? Two dozen baseballs, roughly $30 at the time.
February 19, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Albert Spalding was involved in what is likely the first instance of a corporation receiving naming rights to a stadium. The Lowell Tigers’ Fred Lake called his new baseball field “Spalding Park” after the sporting goods company. The price? Two dozen baseballs, roughly $30 at the time.
for more on Lew's full career and his assist to Jackie Robinson, here's the article from Genevieve DiNatale's NewsLinkLive, it's the source of the image, the link may have been lost in the initial post... tinyurl.com/2rv4c2pp
Bucky Lew, basketball’s first Black professional, passed over by the Hall of Fame once more
Harry “Bucky” Lew was the first Black professional basketball player, coach, and executive, yet remains unrecognized by the Hall of Fame, despite his pioneering role and lasting impact on the sport.
tinyurl.com
February 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
for more on Lew's full career and his assist to Jackie Robinson, here's the article from Genevieve DiNatale's NewsLinkLive, it's the source of the image, the link may have been lost in the initial post... tinyurl.com/2rv4c2pp
This recognition is well deserved! And even more may be coming. Before Lew finished his rookie year, he also coached at what is now UMass Lowell. So he integrated both the college and pro games by 1903. Due to that and much more, the American Basketball Hall of Fame is inducting him this August!
February 14, 2025 at 3:11 PM
This recognition is well deserved! And even more may be coming. Before Lew finished his rookie year, he also coached at what is now UMass Lowell. So he integrated both the college and pro games by 1903. Due to that and much more, the American Basketball Hall of Fame is inducting him this August!
the American Basketball Hall of Fame based in Detroit may have an announcement on Lew soon :)
February 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
the American Basketball Hall of Fame based in Detroit may have an announcement on Lew soon :)
He was also the first to integrate pro basketball as a coach, manager, referee, franchise owner, and... magnate!
February 7, 2025 at 7:27 PM
He was also the first to integrate pro basketball as a coach, manager, referee, franchise owner, and... magnate!