Radcliff laid the foundation of
his big league career back in 1925
when an Indian named Jackson
James organized a semi-pro club
in Kiowa. Okla., and asked Rip to
be the first baseman. Until then
Rip had not given much thought
to playing baseball. Four years
later he made his pro debut at
first oase with Muskogee in the
Western Association. He was beat
en out for the 1929 league batting
championship by a single point
when he hit .359. In 1930 he was
with Selma. Ala., in the Southern
loop. He led that league with an
average of .370.
Radcliff Craves Action
Shreveport in the Texas League
was his next step up and again he
found himself at the top of the
batting list with a mark of .361.
One day in Shreveport, Manager
Jake Atz suggested that Rip take
a fling at right field, and that
turned out to be the spot he was
destined to play from then on. He
liked outfield work well enough,
but complained there was not
; enough action. He missed the op
portunity to be iri every play that
! the infielders enjoy. He likes plen
jty of action when he is on the
I ball field.
1 Radcliff was a pretty fair out
fielder by the time St. Paul picked
him up. With St. Paul he faced the
| toughest pitcher of his minor league
I career—a fellow named Monte Pear
! son. Yet, despite his inability to
connect with Pearson’s offerings,
he was on two occasions the villain
who upset Monte’s apple cart when
the big right-hander seemed headed
for no-hit performances. Pearson
was pitching for Toledo at the time.
To this day he has not forgiven
Radcliff for spoiling his no-hit
chances.
