Jack Johnson

John Thomas "Topeka Jack" Johnson (April 25, 1883 – January 29, 1940) was a Negro leagues second baseman and manager for several years before the founding of the first Negro National League. He was also a professional boxer and trainer, and his nickname may have resulted from the need to distinguish him from the heavyweight champion Jack Johnson. Baseball career Johnson was an alumnus of Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. His boxing career spanned into the 1920's and he fought against Jack Johnson, Joe Jeanette (knockout of Johnson Dec 21, 1911) and Sam Langford, whom he fought to a draw on August 19, 1921. In baseball, Johnson's fielding was described as "swift" and "above Criticism." Johnson played for the Chicago Union Giants from 1903 to 1905 and again in 1907, his teammates including George Hopkins, Albert Toney, and Joe Green. He founded and managed the Topeka Giants in 1906, taking them on a tour of Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.