Tommy Sampson (baseball)

Thomas "Toots" Sampson (August 31, 1912 – January 24, 2002) was an African-American second baseman in the Negro Leagues. He played from 1938 to 1948, playing mostly with the Birmingham Black Barons. During the 1944 Negro League World Series, Sampson was injured in a car accident. Fellow players John Britton, Pepper Bassett, and Leandy Young were also in the car, but sustained minor injuries. Sampson's right leg was broken, and he missed the remainder of the Series. In 1946 and 1947, he served as the manager of the Black Barons, before being replaced by Piper Davis. In 1948, Sampson discovered future Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, which led to Mays signing with the Black Barons.