The Top Black Players in Travelers History
In celebration of Black History Month throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club. Narrowing the list of standout Black players who have been part of Travs history was not easy and left
In celebration of Black History Month throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.
Narrowing the list of standout Black players who have been part of Travs history was not easy and left out many worthy candidates including Garry Templeton, Lance Johnson and Bernard Gilkey just to name a few.
This list is presented in alphabetical order and includes representatives from nearly every recent era of the franchise’s history. Let’s take a look at five of the best Black baseball players to play for the Arkansas Travelers.
Dick Allen, OF/3B/1B
Travelers 1963
Philadelphia Phillies 1963-69, 1975-76; St. Louis Cardinals 1970; Los Angeles Dodgers 1971; Chicago White Sox 1972-74; Oakland A’s 1977
Nearly elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame again this past winter, Dick Allen was the first Black player in Travelers history. Known as Richie Allen during his season in Arkansas, Allen played for the Travs during their time as the Phillies’ Triple-A club. He played 145 games as a 21 year old and hit 33 home runs, still the franchise record for a right-handed batter. At the end of the ‘63 season, he made his Major League debut and went on to become one of the most underrated star sluggers of his era.
Allen won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1964 and finished seventh in the MVP voting while launching 29 homers for a Phillies team that finished just a game back of the NL pennant. The next season marked the first of his seven All-Star selections in his 15 big league seasons with at least three of those coming in each league. Allen was on the move in the early 70’s being traded in three consecutive offseasons. He had his best season at the end of that stretch in 1972 when he won the American League MVP award with the White Sox while topping the AL in home runs (37), RBIs (113), walks (99), on-base percentage (.420) and slugging percentage (.603). He led his league in homers, on-base and slugging multiple times during his career.
Howie Kendrick, 2B/OF
Travelers 2005
Los Angeles Angels 2006-14; Los Angeles Dodgers 2015-16; Philadelphia Phillies 2017; Washington Nationals 2017-2020
As a 10th round pick in 2002 by the Angels out of community college, Kendrick showed a quick aptitude to hit professional pitching. A career .358 hitter in the minors, he earned a promotion to Double-A and the 2005 Travs for the final two months of the season and Texas League playoffs. While with Arkansas, Kendrick slashed .342/.382/.579 in 42 games and was part of a lineup that featured future big leaguers like Mike Napoli, Kendrys Morales, and Erick Aybar.
Kendrick was a consistent line drive hitter over a 15-year big league career posting a career batting average of .294. He played second base regularly for the Angels through 2014 and was named an All-Star in 2011. After nine seasons in Anaheim, he jumped to the National League and transitioned to a utility/bench bat role where he was feared for his late game plate appearances. Kendrick became a regular in October, making the playoffs in eight different seasons culminating in the 2019 Washington Nationals run where he was named MVP of the NLCS and won a World Series ring.
Fergie Jenkins, RHP
Travelers 1963-65
Philadelphia Phillies 1965-66; Chicago Cubs 1966-73, 82-83; Texas Rangers 1974-75, 1978-81; Boston Red Sox 1976-77
A 6’5” right-hander from Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Jenkins began his pro career as a member of the Phillies organization and was a Trav at the Triple-A level for the Phillies. He first reached Arkansas as a 20-year old in 1963 and spent time as a Traveler each of the next two seasons totaling 189 innings in 47 appearances before making his big league debut in 1965. Jenkins’ career took off after being traded from Philadelphia to the Cubs in April of 1966 and moving to the starting rotation full-time a year later.
Jenkins became the leader and workhorse of the Cubs rotation in 1967. Four times he led his league in complete games, three times in games started, twice in wins, once in strikeouts and once in innings pitched. A three-time All-Star selection, he won the 1971 National League Cy Young Award accumulating 24 wins with a 2.77 ERA and 30 complete games over 325 innings. He finished in the top 3 of his league’s Cy Young voting on four other occasions (1967, ’70, ’72, ’74) and was the first pitcher to end his career with at least 3,000 strikeouts and fewer than 1,000 walks. Jenkins was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1991.
Ray Lankford, OF
Travelers 1989
St. Louis Cardinals 1990-2001, 2004; San Diego Padres 2001-02
One of the smoothest players to ever don a Travs uniform, Ray Lankford was the Cardinals 3rd round pick in 1987 out of Modesto Junior College. He made the jump from Low-A to Double-A at age 22 and hit .317/.396/.488 with 28 doubles, 12 triples, 11 homers and 98 runs batted in while stealing 38 bases. That 1989 team also featured future St. Louis regulars Bernard Gilkey and Geronimo Pena and went on to win the Texas League Championship.
Lankford made his big league debut late in 1990 and would be the Cards’ primary centerfielder for the next decade. Over a 14-year career, his combination of power and speed produced 356 doubles, 238 home runs, 258 stolen bases and an NL best 15 triples in his first full season. He finished 3rd in the Rookie of the Year voting in that 1991 season and earned his lone All-Star nod in 1997. Lankford produced a career Wins Above Replacement of 38.2.
Terry Pendleton, 3B
Travelers 1983
St. Louis Cardinals 1984-1990; Atlanta Braves 1991-94, 1996; Florida Marlins 1995-96; Cincinnati Reds 1997; Kansas City Royals 1998
Drafted as a middle infielder by St. Louis in the 7th round in 1982 out of Fresno State, Terry Pendleton played 48 games (all at second base) for the Travs in 1983 at the age of 22. He hit .276 with 17 extra base hits and was named a league mid-season All-Star. His defensive shift to 3rd base began early in the 1984 season at the Triple-A level before he was promoted to the big leagues later that year.
Pendleton played the first seven of his 15 years in the Majors with St. Louis before signing a free agent deal with the Braves. His first season in Atlanta saw him win the 1991 NL Most Valuable Player Award and then he followed that with an MVP runner-up, leading the league in hits both years. He won three Gold Glove awards at third base in 1987, ’89 and ’92 and was an All-Star in 1992. Pendleton played on five different teams that reached the World Series yet his team never won a championship.
Travs Opening Roster for 2025 Announced
The Seattle Mariners have announced the roster of the Arkansas Travelers that will begin the 2025 season for the reigning Texas League champions. The 28-man squad is made up of 14 pitchers and 14 position players and led by manager Ryan Scott. LHP Danny Wirchansky headlines the team after topping
Arkansas to Become “Barkansas” as Travs Honor Ballpark Pup
The Arkansas Travelers are honoring “The Goodest Boy in Baseball,” ballpark pup Dizzy, with a rebrand of the team name, logo and uniforms for one dog friendly week this summer. From June 10-15, the Travs will be the Barkansas Dizzys, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. A permanent resident of Dickey-Stephens
Jordyn Wieber to Appear at Travs Faith and Family Night
The Arkansas Travelers are excited to announce that Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber will be the honored guest at the annual Faith and Family Night on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park. Wieber, who currently serves as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks
Tickets for Hogs Game Go On Sale February 25
Tickets for the Arkansas Razorbacks game at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park will be made available to the general public on Tuesday, February 25, at 10:00 a.m. via online purchase at Travs.com. The Diamond Hogs are scheduled to host Grambling State University at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April
Travs to Honor “Little Rock Nine” in 2025
The Arkansas Travelers are proud to announce they will pay tribute to the Little Rock Nine during the 2025 season during the weekend of August 21-23. The Travs will honor Melba Pattillo (Beals), Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Minnijean Brown, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls (LaNier), Jefferson Thomas, Gloria Ray (Karlmark) and
2025 Travs Coaching Staff Revealed
The Arkansas Travelers and their Major League parent club, the Seattle Mariners, are excited to announce the Travelers coaching staff for the 2025 season, led by new Manager Ryan Scott. Joining Scott on the Arkansas staff are José Umbria (Bench Coach), Seth Mejias-Brean (Hitting Coach) and Cameron Ming (Pitching Coach).
Field at DSP to be Named for CHI St. Vincent
The Arkansas Travelers are proud to announce the first ever field naming rights agreement with CHI St. Vincent at Dickey-Stephens Park. All Travs home games will now take place at CHI St. Vincent Field at Dickey-Stephens Park. The name change goes into effect for the upcoming 2025 season and will
Razorbacks to Play Annual Contest at DSP
The Arkansas Travelers and Arkansas Razorback baseball team will once again team up in 2025 as the Razorbacks will host a home game at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. Arkansas will host the Grambling State University Tigers on Tuesday, April 1, at 6:00 p.m. in their yearly contest in
Travs Announce Home Start Times for 2025
The Arkansas Travelers announced start times for their 2025 home games today. Opening Night at Dickey-Stephens Park is set for Tuesday, April 8, and will have a 6:05 p.m. first pitch. The full game schedule was released in July. Standard home game times for 2025 are similar to the past
2024 TEXAS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—Alberto Rodriguez hit a walk-off single with one out in the ninth inning making the Arkansas Travelers the Texas League Champions for 2024 with a 5-4 win over the Midland RockHounds in front of a raucous crowd of 5,661 at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Travelers won
Travs Force Decisive Game for TL Title
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—The Arkansas Travelers forced a decisive third game in the Texas League Championship Series with a 3-1 win over the Midland RockHounds on Tuesday night. The win evens the series with the title to be decided on Wednesday. The Travs never trailed in the game
Troy Taylor Named TL Postseason All-Star
Travelers right-handed pitcher Troy Taylor was selected as a Texas League Postseason All-Star for 2024 as announced today by Minor League Baseball. Taylor was promoted to Arkansas in May and was a dominant closer for the Travs before jumping straight to Seattle in late August. He has been with the
Arkansas Drops Game 1 of Title Series to Midland
Box Score Midland, TX—The Midland RockHounds rallied past the Arkansas Travelers for a 10-8 victory in game one of the Texas League Championship Series. The Travs scored five times in the first two innings building a four-run lead but the RockHound offense would not be denied. Midland scored in seven
Travs Return To Texas League Championship Series
Box Score Springfield, MO—Victor Labrada homered twice and Cole Young went deep as well among three extra base hits and the Arkansas Travelers punched their ticket to the Texas League Championship Series with a 6-5 win over the Springfield Cardinals. The Travelers saw a five-run lead disappear when the Cardinals
Travs Ride Massive Fifth Inning To Force Decisive Game
Box Score Springfield, MO—An eight-run fifth inning paved the way for the Arkansas Travelers to force a winner take all game for the Texas League North Division Championship as they defeated the Springfield Cardinals, 9-6 on Thursday night. The Travs sent 13 batters to the plate in the pivotal inning
Arkansas Falls In Playoff Opener
Box Score North Little Rock, AR—The Arkansas Travelers dropped the first game of the Texas League North Division series, 4-1, to the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday night. The teams had numerous scoring opportunities but combined to leave 20 runners on base. Three times, the Travs had the bases loaded with
Final 2024 TL Pitcher of the Week Honor Goes to Michael Morales
Arkansas Travelers pitcher Michael Morales was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week for September 9-15 it was announced today by Minor League Baseball. Morales tossed six shutout innings last Thursday at Northwest Arkansas surrendering only two hits with four strikeouts. He earned the win in the team’s 13th shutout
2025 Travelers Home Schedule Announced
The Arkansas Travelers in conjunction with Major League Baseball have announced their home schedule for the 2025 season. The 69-game home schedule begins on Tuesday, April 8, as Arkansas will host the Tulsa Drillers at Dickey-Stephens Park. The season opener will see the Travs on the road on Friday, April
Travs Finish Off Regular Season With Victory
Box Score Springdale, AR—The Arkansas Travelers closed out the regular season with a 4-1 win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Sunday afternoon. Brock Rodden connected on a three-run double in the first inning and the Travs led the rest of the way. Arkansas used eight pitchers on the day
Travs Bang Way To Series Win
Box Score Springdale, AR—The Arkansas offense banged out 10 runs on 15 hits and the bullpen authored six scoreless innings as the Travelers defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 10-5 on Saturday night. Alberto Rodriguez led the offensive onslaught with a three hit game including a tie breaking double in the
Win Streak Halted At 5
Box Score Springdale, AR—The Arkansas Travelers nearly rallied from five runs down but fell just short in a 7-6 decision to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Friday night. The Travs trailed by four runs early and by five as late as the seventh inning but scored four times from the
Travs Spin Two-Hit Shutout Of Naturals
Box Score Springdale, AR—Michael Morales, Jimmy Joyce and Peyton Alford combined on a two-hit shutout as the Arkansas Travelers blanked the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 3-0 on Thursday night. It was the 13th shutout win of the season for the Travs. Morales earned his fourth win of the season and Alford
Travs Rock Naturals To Continue Roll
Box Score Springdale, AR—Juan Mercedes delivered another quality start and the Arkansas Travelers rolled to a 9-2 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Wednesday night. The Travs offense broke free in the middle innings and scored nine unanswered runs to close out the game. Mercedes struck out seven over
Travs Outslug Naturals In Series Opener
Box Score Springdale, AR—The Arkansas Travelers won a wild game over their in-state rival Northwest Arkansas Naturals, 15-11 on Tuesday night. Two different three-run leads for the Travs disappeared before they built an eight run advantage over the final two innings only to see the game end after the Naturals
Travs Duo Sweeps Weekly Texas League Awards
Two Arkansas Travelers, pitcher Juan Mercedes and outfielder Jared Oliva, were named Texas League Pitcher of the Week and Player of the Week respectively for September 2-8. The duo helped the Travs clinch a bid to the Texas League postseason over the weekend while taking five wins in six games