Celebrating Johnny School- Boy Taylor: Hartford’s First Professional Black Athlete (330 Park)

Lynette Taylor Grande has lived in Bloomfield for many years. She retired after a rewarding career of teaching in the West Hartford Public School System.  

Lynette is the daughter of the late, great Johnny Taylor, who by his success and demeanor earned  the nickname Johnny School-Boy Taylor. He was one of the best pitchers, if not the best pitcher to ever hail from Hartford. He was also Hartford’s first athlete to break the color barrier when he signed with the Hartford Chiefs in 1949.  In this program Lynette will talk about some of the struggles and successes her father experienced throughout his life as well as some important recognition he has received most recently.

“Johnny” was a graduate of Bulkeley High School and played in the Hartford Twilight League at Colt Park in 1933 and 1934.

He went on to pitch in the Negro Leagues for the New York Cubans since people of color were barred from playing Major League Baseball. 

After a stellar career in the National Negro League, Cuban League and Mexican League that included throwing a no-hitter against Baseball Hall of Famer, Satchel Paige, Taylor returned to Hartford and signed an “organized baseball” contract with the Hartford Chiefs in 1949. 

This program is brought to you by The Wintonbury Historical Society in collaboration with Bloomfield Public Library and Bloomfield Leisure Services.