Bubbles Anderson

Theodore M. "Bubbles" Anderson (November 4, 1904 – March 14, 1943) was an American baseball player in the Negro leagues. He played primarily second base for the Kansas City Monarchs, Washington Potomacs, Birmingham Black Barons, and the Indianapolis ABCs from 1922 until 1925. He played for the minor Negro league Denver White Elephants from 1920 through 1921 and again from 1932 to 1933.

Theodore M."Bubbles" Anderson was the only Denver-born baseball player to play in the Negro Leagues, and he did so when he was only 17.

Anderson was born on Nov. 4, 1904 in Denver to George and Hattie Anderson. It isn't known how or why Anderson received the nickname "Bubbles," but it was a memorable nickname that followed him throughout his childhood.

"Bubbles" began his career for the Denver White Elephants in 1920. Bubbles was 15, playing amongst grown men and he was one of the stars of that team. The White Elephants were the longest-lasting African-American team in Colorado. Owned by businessman, politician and avid baseball fan A.H.W. Ross, the White Elephants were active for 21 seasons from 1915 through 1935.

In 1922, the Kansas City Monarchs were barnstorming through Denver, they discovered Bubbles and signed him to a contract even though he was only 17. Once he signed on with the Monarchs, Anderson would once again find himself as the only teenager on a roster filled with adults. Teenagers playing in the Negro Leagues wasn't uncommon. Even though the younger Anderson was a threat to older players, the Monarchs made sure that they nurtured Bubbles Anderson into a man on and off the field.

Negro Leagues Career

Anderson played 19 games at second base during his first season with the Monarchs in 1922. Anderson compiled a .212 batting average, knocking in only 1 RBI and committing 5 errors from the field. In the next season, Bubbles' playing time would greatly increase as he saw the field in 61 contests. This time he would play two games apiece at third base and shortstop while still primarily starting at second base. Bubbles' numbers would also improve, as he posted a .275 batting average with 22 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. After two seasons with the Monarchs, Bubbles moved east and started the 1924 season at second base with the Washington Potomacs, but he was released and finished the season with the Birmingham Black Barons. In 1925, Bubbles finished his career with the Indianapolis ABCs. During Bubbles' four seasons in the Negro Leagues, he played with Baseball Hall Of Fame members Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan, Jose Mendez and Norman "Turkey" Stearnes.

On a road trip to Kansas City to face the Monarchs, Bubbles left the Indianapolis ABCs and returned home to Denver due to an illness. In the following years, Bubbles never married nor had any children. He worked as a janitor and returned to the baseball diamond in a second stint with the White Elephants in 1932 and 1933. His professional baseball career ended in 1935.

Anderson later served in the United States Army during World War II.

March 14, 1943, around 6 a.m., Theodore "Bubbles" Anderson died from a gastric ulcer. He was only 38.

His body was laid to rest four days later in an unmarked grave at the Fairmount Cemetery, in Denver CO.

It wasn't until 2005, the Fairmount Heritage Foundation, Bubbles Anderson received a headstone.

It was a fitting end for an African-American baseball pioneer, a World War II veteran, and a hero to current generations of Denver baseball fans..