James Dudley

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For other people named James Dudley, see James Dudley (disambiguation).
James Dudley
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedJune 1, 2004(2004-06-01) (aged 94)[2]
Washington, D.C.
, U.S.

James Dudley (May 12, 1910 – June 1, 2004) was an American

class of 1994
.

Baseball career

Dudley was considered an "excellent athlete" and ran the

African Americans were not permitted on the team.[3][4] After playing semi-professional baseball in Baltimore, Maryland, Dudley signed with the Baltimore Elite Giants at age 27. Nicknamed "Big Train", he played catcher but started out helping pitchers warm up in the bullpen.[3] Playing alongside two other talented catchers, Roy Campanella and Eggie Clarke, Dudley's playing time was limited.[5] He remained with the Elite Giants until leaving professional baseball in 1945.[6] In total, he played about 60 games in the Negro leagues.[1]

Professional wrestling career

James Dudley began working for Jess McMahon in the 1950s, when McMahon was a co-owner of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation.[7] When McMahon and his partners broke away from the National Wrestling Alliance to form the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1963, Dudley continued to work for McMahon.[2][7] Dudley performed many different jobs, from carrying buckets of water to counting ticket sales.[4] Dudley was a close friend of Vincent J. McMahon and continued working for the family when the younger McMahon took over the business from his father; in particular, he drove McMahon's limousine and served as his bodyguard.[8][9] He has said that he thought of McMahon as a father figure.[7] McMahon later increased Dudley's responsibilities with the company several times, and eventually assigned him to manage Turner's Arena in Washington, D.C., which made Dudley the first African-American to hold such a position in the United States.[2][7] His role required him to oversee several other events, including the Town and Country Jamboree television show.[7]

"Although he was rarely seen by the fans, James Dudley is one of the most important and influential men in sports-entertainment history. In the 1950s and ‘60s, when fans tuned into WWE's weekly TV show, few realized the enormous role Dudley was playing behind the scenes."
Hall of Fame Inductees -WWE.com[2]

Dudley

class of 1994 by Vincent K. McMahon.[2]

Dudley's final appearance with the company came during the January 3, 2002, episode of

MCI Center. In an attempt to get past security, she pushed Dudley in a wheelchair but was still refused entrance. Following the scene, Dudley left the wheelchair, walked to his seat, and watched the show.[7]

Personal life

Dudley continued to live in

natural causes on June 1, 2004, at the age of 94.[2][8]

Awards and accomplishments
  • Class of 1994)[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "James Dudley". Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "James Dudley". WWE.com. WWE. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-7864-0875-8
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 0-7864-0875-8
    .
  5. ISBN 0-7864-0875-8
    .
  6. ISBN 0-7864-0875-8
    .
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k McKenna, Dave (February 22, 2002). "The Good Fight". Washington City Paper. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Gallipoli, Thomas M. (2007-09-18). "Specialist: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2004". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-05-24.
  9. ^ "A Blast From The Past—The Federation Hall Of Fame". World Wrestling Federation Magazine. 13 (9): 56–57. September 1994. 8756-7792.

External links

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