Big Train Celebrates Fifth Annual Clarence “Pint” Isreal Juneteenth Classic

Community Hero Eddie Dove by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. — On June 12, 2022, the Bethesda Big Train celebrated the First Annual Clarence “Pint” Isreal Juneteenth Classic at Shirley Povich Field. Now, four years later, the Big Train still honors the life and legacy of the 1946 Negro League World Series champion.

Bethesda dropped Friday night’s game 10-5 to the Gaithersburg Giants. Even though the contest did not end in Bethesda’s favor, the Big Train still provided fans with many activities in honor of Juneteenth.

Friday’s lively atmosphere culminated in a fireworks celebration during the ninth inning, courtesy of the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival. In a similar fashion to the 1993 hit movie “The Sandlot”, the Big Train and Giants kept playing as the fireworks lit up the sky.

Isreal was one of the greatest Negro League players of the 1940s. Raised in Rockville, Maryland, he played in sandlot and semiprofessional leagues around the Montgomery County area during the 1930s.

After being born in Marietta, Georgia, in 1918, Isreal’s parents then moved his family to Rockville in 1923. Isreal made his debut in the Negro Leagues with the Newark Eagles in 1940, playing second base.

The 5-foot-5 Isreal received the nickname “Pint” due to his small stature on the field. After seeing him play center field early in his career, people called Isreal “Half Pint.” Over time, the nickname was shortened and stuck with him throughout his career.

Isreal finished his rookie season hitting four home runs and recording a .294 batting average. Over the next couple of seasons, he transitioned to third base. Isreal kept on performing at the plate until the country entered World War II.

Initially assigned to the 54 Aviation Squadron in California, Isreal was reported to be still playing baseball on an Army Air Force Base outside of Sacramento, California. Isreal then became a player-manager of an Army in Texas before moving to Alaska. Isreals won the “Midnight Sun” World Series in 1945, according to the Society for American Baseball Research. 

After being discharged from the Army in 1945, Isreal returned to playing for the Eagles. In 1946, Newark made the Negro League World Series. Playing against the historic Satchel Paige’s Kansas City Monarchs, the Eagles won Game 7 to take home the championship. During the series, Game 1 was played at the legendary Polo Grounds and Game 5 was at Comiskey Park.

In 1947, Isreal moved to the Homestead Grays, which played games in Washington, D.C. The Ripken League D.C. Grays pay homage to the Negro League team. Isreal finished his Negro League career as a member of the Grays that season.

Now, the Big Train still honors the all-back baseball teams throughout Montgomery County.

Jason Green by Matthew Lewyn

During Friday night’s game, the Big Train donned replica jerseys to honor the 1954 Scotland Eagles. The squad was the closest Black Sandlot team to Shirley Povich Field. Legendary Scotland player Eddie Dove was honored by the Big Train as the game’s Community Hero.

Big Train President and Founder Bruce Adams presented him with a Big Train #21 jersey featuring "Community Hero" on the back to pay tribute to the legendary Roberto Clemente. The team retired the #21 jersey in 2009 and continues to honor him through the Roberto Clemente Service Day on the morning of July 18.

Before the game began, the first 700 fans into Povich Field received Maryland Heartbreakers t-shirts. The Heartbreakers were an all-black women’s softball team that played games in Montgomery County during the 1960s and 70s.

Author Jason Green also contributed to the pregame festivities. Green released his autobiography, Too Precious to Lose, earlier this year and signed copies for Big Train fans. The book chronicles his rural Maryland family’s history. Green, a former White House staffer under President Barack Obama, used the book to understand his own roots.

Milt Thompson by Matthew Lewyn

During the game, fans at Povich Field had a chance to meet 13-year major leaguer Milt Thompson. He grew up in Washington, D.C., before playing collegiate baseball at Howard University. Thompson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the 1979 MLB January Draft.

Thompson played two seasons in Atlanta before joining the Philadelphia Phillies for the next three seasons of his career. After his time in the majors ended, Thompson also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies.

The Shirley Povich Field festivities continue Sunday for Father’s Day, as the Giants return to Povich Field again for a 5 p.m. first pitch. Fans can get their photos with the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents George and Abe.

FitBite Orthodontics is offering a battery-operated hand fan to the first 500 fans. Fans should also arrive early, as dads and kids can play catch on the field between 4:30 and 4:45 p.m.

Tickets can be found on the Big Train website.

Read the recap of tonight’s game