JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA -- Harold "Buster" Hair, a former batboy and the last surviving connection to the Jacksonville (Florida) Red Caps, was a talented infielder who held a big stick for both the Birmingham Black Barons and the Monarchs of Kansas City. After graduating from A&T College in North Carolina, Harold's success followed him to the pros as he began his professional career playing third base for the Black Barons of baseball's Negro Leagues, then later joined the famed Monarchs when he returned to the Negro Leagues after he completed a long stretch of playing baseball as a barnstormer in Canada. But before manning the hot corner for the Barons, Hair led his Greensboro North Carolina based college to four consecutive collegiate championships - captaining the squad in his senior year. And if that's not all, as a junior, because of his stellar leadership, A&T went undefeated. The next year Hair was not only made captain but in 1996 he was later invited back to be inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. Hair - an only child - was born in Jacksonville on May 29th 1932, 
to the proud parents of Harold O. Hair Sr. of Sanford, Florida and Miss Lilly Dawkins of Ocala, Florida. Harold Jr., who eventually grew to be a 6' 3 1/2 " tall was then a tower of strength to his family and continues to be a man who cares for others of as the 74-year old is now a full fledged minister having entered the ministry in 1978. Four years earlier, Hair first returned to school where he received his Masters in Administration from the University of Florida. Today as reverend in his hometown of Jacksonville, Rev. Hair preaches at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, still taking pride in his accomplishments. As he well should."Though I was still a bit wild and crazy as a kid growing up," Hair Jr. recalled, "A Reverend by the name of Dr. R. W. Jackson settled me down. He inspired me to become a minister." Still preaching, at 94, Dr. Jackson now heads up St. Nicholas Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, also located in Jacksonville.In 1953, Hair was drafted into the military where he served for two years. When he returned, he played for the Black Barons, then finished up his interrupted Negro League career with the Monarchs in 1958. One of his fondest memories while playing for the Monarchs was when they got to play some games in historic Yankee Stadium. In 1958 while playing for the Barons, Hair hit .355 the same team that over the years featured such greats as Willie Mays, Ernie Westfield and Carl Long. In the mid-fifties, Hair could have accepted a tryout with the Cleveland Indians of baseball's Major Leagues, but he needed to find a real job that paid more money. What with a sick wife, and four kids, $275 a month just wasn't going to cut it. However today he can't help to wonder - what if?" To this day I wonder whether or not I had the talent to become a star in the majors."When Hair first experienced baseball as a kid with the Southern Negro League Red Caps - a name derived from the fact that most of their recruits worked at the nearby rail station - he became their batboy. Whenever he walked on to Durkee Field it was a thrill. In order to help out, Hair was not only just the bat boy. He did whatever was necessary for the players. Players such as his favorite, "Skindown" Robinson - his favorite "he had great hands." "Cool Papa" Frazier, Speck Ellis, Mint Jones and ironically, a player nicknamed, "Preacher" Henry. Many years ago, Durkee Field had it's name changed to J. P. Small Park. The park which still stands today was not only home to the Red Caps but also to the old Jacksonville Tars - a team from the mid-fifties who featured former Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves All-Star and Hall of Famer, baseball's all-time home run hitter, Henry "Hammerin Hank" Aaron. Currently the Durkeeville Historical Society is not only trying to restore the old ball park but is also assisting in the redevelopment of the entire area. Hair and others would love to see Mr. Aaron return to his roots and rededicate the ball park. Not only would it be a thrill for those in Durkeeville but also an inspiration for others. And after all, that's what Hair's life is now all about.
to the proud parents of Harold O. Hair Sr. of Sanford, Florida and Miss Lilly Dawkins of Ocala, Florida. Harold Jr., who eventually grew to be a 6' 3 1/2 " tall was then a tower of strength to his family and continues to be a man who cares for others of as the 74-year old is now a full fledged minister having entered the ministry in 1978. Four years earlier, Hair first returned to school where he received his Masters in Administration from the University of Florida. Today as reverend in his hometown of Jacksonville, Rev. Hair preaches at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, still taking pride in his accomplishments. As he well should."Though I was still a bit wild and crazy as a kid growing up," Hair Jr. recalled, "A Reverend by the name of Dr. R. W. Jackson settled me down. He inspired me to become a minister." Still preaching, at 94, Dr. Jackson now heads up St. Nicholas Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, also located in Jacksonville.In 1953, Hair was drafted into the military where he served for two years. When he returned, he played for the Black Barons, then finished up his interrupted Negro League career with the Monarchs in 1958. One of his fondest memories while playing for the Monarchs was when they got to play some games in historic Yankee Stadium. In 1958 while playing for the Barons, Hair hit .355 the same team that over the years featured such greats as Willie Mays, Ernie Westfield and Carl Long. In the mid-fifties, Hair could have accepted a tryout with the Cleveland Indians of baseball's Major Leagues, but he needed to find a real job that paid more money. What with a sick wife, and four kids, $275 a month just wasn't going to cut it. However today he can't help to wonder - what if?" To this day I wonder whether or not I had the talent to become a star in the majors."When Hair first experienced baseball as a kid with the Southern Negro League Red Caps - a name derived from the fact that most of their recruits worked at the nearby rail station - he became their batboy. Whenever he walked on to Durkee Field it was a thrill. In order to help out, Hair was not only just the bat boy. He did whatever was necessary for the players. Players such as his favorite, "Skindown" Robinson - his favorite "he had great hands." "Cool Papa" Frazier, Speck Ellis, Mint Jones and ironically, a player nicknamed, "Preacher" Henry. Many years ago, Durkee Field had it's name changed to J. P. Small Park. The park which still stands today was not only home to the Red Caps but also to the old Jacksonville Tars - a team from the mid-fifties who featured former Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves All-Star and Hall of Famer, baseball's all-time home run hitter, Henry "Hammerin Hank" Aaron. Currently the Durkeeville Historical Society is not only trying to restore the old ball park but is also assisting in the redevelopment of the entire area. Hair and others would love to see Mr. Aaron return to his roots and rededicate the ball park. Not only would it be a thrill for those in Durkeeville but also an inspiration for others. And after all, that's what Hair's life is now all about.