1935 Alabama Pitts Criminal Convict & 2 Sport Professional Athlete Original TYPE I Photo Albany

AlabamaPitts played four seasons in the minor leagues after being let out of jail, creating a national controversy. After his father and stepfather died, Pitts joined the Navy at age 15. He served three years and was honorably discharged. Living in New York, NY after his discharge, Pitts was broke when a friend suggested they rob a store. The two stole $76.25 and Pitts pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery. He was implicated in five other crimes. Sentenced to Sing Sing Prison for 8-16 years, Pitts behaved well in prison and starred in athletics there.Sing Sing Prison at the time was focusing on rehabilitation of prisoners, a novel and oft-criticized concept at the time. Pitts excelled at track, basketball, football and baseball, with football being his top sport. In 1933, Pitts doubled twice and made several fine catches in center field in an exhibition game against the New York Giants. Joe Cambria, owner of the Albany Senators, advised his GM, Johnny Evers, to sign Pitts when he was released from prison. Evers did so on May 22, 1935. IL president Charles Knapp refused to approve the signing and William Bramham, in charge of minor league baseball, agreed. The National Association executive committee backed up the decision. The decision was appealed to commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. John Costello, who had been the subject of Pitts' crime, wrote on his behalf and many people weighed in on both sides. On June 17, Landis ruled that Pitts could play, but not in exhibition games. He appeared in 43 games for Albany, hitting.233/~.276/.257 and fielding.911, the worst of any International League regular outfielder. He had several injuries also, spraining his finger, bruising his shoulder and suffering a blood infection from a spike injury.The Philadelphia Eagles signed the now-famous Pitts to play football and he caught two passes for 21 yards in three games for the team. In 1940, he played his last season in Organized Baseball, hitting.303 and scoring 48 runs in 64 games for the Hickory Rebels. Pitts returned to Valdese to work in the mills and play in the local leagues.On June 5, 1941 he played center field for the House of David when they were in the area. After playing for Valdese on June 6, Pitts and two teammates went to a roadhouse. Alabama became drunk and attempted to cut in on a dance at 3am on June 7. The lady's date, Newland LeFevers, became angry, and got into an argument with Pitts. LeFevers pulled a knife and cut a 4-inch slice into the former minor leaguer, who died two hours later. LeFevers was convicted of murder but only served a few months when evidence of Pitts' drunken behavior was presented to the judge.We offer a very rare original 6" x8" photo with the original ACME caption dated July 1, 1935 and stamped on the back of the photo July 6, 1935 and original ACME stamp.The caption reads:"ALABAMA PITTS IS PICTURED TAKING A CUT AT THE BALL IN THE GAME BETWEEN THE ALBANY SENATORS AND THE BALTIMORE ORIOLS, IN BALTIMORE, MD., June 30. AFTER HAVING STARTED HIS MINOR LEAGUE CAREER IN A BLAZE OF GLORY, THE FORMER SING SING INMATE HAS SLUMPED BADLY AT THE BAT. PITTS CLAIMS THAT IN TRYING TOO HARD TO GET HIS HITS -- WHICH HE BELIEVES HE OWES THE PUBLIC -- IT HAS AFFECTED HIS AVERAGE. C EDIT LINE (ACME) 7/1/35"