While the Washington Nationals dominate most local baseball discussions, there is also a fascinating history of baseball in Arlington’s African-American community.
Arlington's Virginia White Sox baseball team, 1930s (exact date unknown)
The earliest known baseball team, named The Old Virginia Blues, started in 1910. They played each Sunday on a field in East Arlington near Arlington Junction.
The two best known teams—the Virginia White Sox (pictured above) and the Green Valley Black Sox—started playing in the 1930’s. Each weekend throughout the summer, the teams competed at a field near High View Park, on land which is now occupied by the Virginia Hospital Center. Their games provided a social gathering place for local residents and families.
After the land was purchased for development, the teams folded, for lack of a place to play.
To learn more about Arlington's history, visit the Center for Local History on the first floor of the Central Library.
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Divine All Arlingtonians,
Wonderful history of African Americans I did not know. Please let these historical greatness be included in our February African American History Month event with the Library doing exhibits to further acknowledge these omissions and educate all us.
Divinely,
Isis (Linda) Haughton