Toni Stone: Baseball and Self-identity

Toni Stone
July 17, 1921 – November 2, 1996
Photo source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Stone

The story of Toni Stone is just as much about identity as it is about baseball.

Stone was born July 17, 1921 in Bluefield, West Virginia. The birth name given to Toni Stone by the Stone family was ‘Marcenia Stone’, but Stone chose ‘Toni Stone’ as a more fitting name. Toni not only found affirmation in self-naming, but Toni also preferred to wear pants instead of skirts, which were considered more acceptable for girls/women in the early 90s.

In Stone’s youth, it was a family concern that Stone wasn’t “lady-like” enough. In fact, many used the label “tomboy” to describe Stone due to an early interest in sports, particularly baseball as opposed to softball.

Stone relentlessly sought opportunities and training in baseball spaces dominated by boys and men. Unfortunately, Stone was initially met with sexist resistance.

This didn’t stop Stone’s pursuit, instead Stone chose to self-educate by reading books on the rules of the game. This wasn’t Stone’s first time relying on self-education to navigate through the world. Stone is known for frequenting the library and being part of the The Chicago Defender readership. It is reported that this was used to supplement school education which didn’t address Stone’s specific reality. In addition to self-educating through books on baseball, Stone pushed for a chance to join a baseball school ran by Gabby Street. There was daily persistence for this opportunity.

At the age of 16, Stone got the opportunity to join Colored Giants which was an all-boys team. Approximately 8 years later, Stone joined the San Francisco Sea Lions, then 3 years later Stone joined New Orleans Black Pelicans, until finally joined the Indianapolis Clowns in 1953, an all male team. Stone played second base replacing Hank Aaron who went on to play for the Milwaukee Braves.

This is an incredible story of a human who self-defined, self-educated, and pursued the passion of Baseball. We honor you Toni Stone.

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