Reorganization and League Play
In 1920, after a year-long absence from baseball, Taylor reorganized the ABCs and entered them in the new Negro National League (NNL), finishing in fourth place with a 39-35 record. The following season Oscar Charleston left for the St. Louis Giants, and the ABCs sagged to 35-38 and fifth place, despite a great season from Ben Taylor.
During the off season in 1922, C. I. Taylor died and his widow Olivia continued as the club's owner, and Ben Taylor became the playing manager. He reacquired Charleston, who led a rejuvenated ABCs squad to a 46-33 record and second-place finish. The young catcher Biz Mackey enjoyed a breakout season in 1922, and with Taylor, Charleston, and third baseman Henry Blackman keyed a prolific offense.
Both Ben Taylor and Biz Mackey jumped to the Eastern Colored League for the 1923 season, but Charleston continued to hit (.364, 11 home runs, 94 RBI in 84 games), and the ABCs finished 44-31, good for fourth place. Charleston, however, jumped east himself in 1924, joining the Harrisburg Giants. 1924 saw the ABCs struggle to a 4-17 record before they were dropped by the league at mid-season.
Read more about this topic: Indianapolis ABCs
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