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WHEREAS, John Preston “Pete” Hill was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, hamlet of Buena, on October 12th, 1882, to Ike and Elizabeth ‘Lizzie” Hill who were both Virginia natives. After the death of Mr. Hill’s father in 1887, John, his mother and siblings boarded a northbound train and settled in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania around 1887. They resided at 7221 Susquehanna St. in Homewood. and,
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WHEREAS, Mr. Hill’s professional baseball career is cited to begin at the age of 17 in 1899 with the Pittsburgh Keystones in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Keystones existed before the first Negro Baseball League was founded in 1920. Hill remained with the team for two years until he joined the Cuban X-Giants and played with them for 1901 to 1902. and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Hill was recognized as a first great outfielder in black baseball history. The left-handed Hill was a five-tool star with several famed independent African American teams: the Philadelphia Giants (1904 to 1907), Leland Giants (1908 to 1910), and Chicago American Giants (1911 to 1918). and,
WHEREAS, After several years of baseball excellence, Mr. Hill slugged his way to Ruthian heights as the Detroit Stars’ player-manager in 1919, before his professional career wound down in 1925. After many glowing accomplishments, Mr. Hill was inducted into the Baseball Hall of fame in 2006.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare March 13th, 2024, to be John Preston “Pete” Hill Day in the City of Pittsburgh.