Satchel Paige, at 46, fires shutout
On Aug. 6, 1952, Paige became the oldest major league player to throw a complete game or a shutout (a record since surpassed) by beating the Detroit Tigers, 1-0, in 12 innings.
Four years and one day later, on Aug. 7, 1956, Paige pitched in front of 57,000 fans at Miami's Orange Bowl – the largest crowed in Minor League Baseball history – leading the Miami Marlins past Columbus in an International League game. He finished that season with 11 victories against only four losses.
Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. A statue of Paige stands at the Hall as a monument to his singular career.
Craig Muder is director of communications for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
Related Hall of Famers
To the topRelated Stories
To the top
Satch's Swan Song
At 59, Satchel Paige came back for one more magical night on the mound.

A Road to Equality
African-American barnstormers, led by Hall of Famer Satchel Paige, left a remarkable legacy

Bill Veeck, Eddie Gaedel and the Birth of Legend
On Aug. 19, 1951, Bill Veeck executed one of the more memorable events in his career, making baseball history in the process.