Sam Bankhead's Life Echoes Troy Maxson in Fences
Negro Southern League Museum draws parallels between the fictional character and the Birmingham native who played for the Black Barons.
By Marta Gray ·
Alabama Shakespeare Festival is staging August Wilson's Fences, a work that follows Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball player. The play examines the life of a man whose ambition to reach the Major Leagues was blocked by the racial barriers of his era. It has earned both the Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award.
Local historians see a direct line between this fictional narrative and the state's own athletic history. The Negro Southern League Museum has pointed out specific similarities between Troy Maxson and Sam Bankhead. Bankhead was born in Alabama and became one of the most respected stars in the Negro Leagues.
Bankhead built his career with several prominent teams. He played for the Birmingham Black Barons, the Pittsburgh Crawfords, and the Homestead Grays. Known for his versatility and strong throwing arm, he earned a place on the All-Star team nine times.
The timeline of Bankhead's life mirrors the plot of the play. Like Maxson, Bankhead played at an elite level during a period of segregation. He moved from Alabama to Pittsburgh and later worked as a sanitation worker in that city. Much of his prime came before the full integration of Major League Baseball.
Wilson's drama explores how unfulfilled dreams affect family and identity. The real-life story of Bankhead provides context for these themes. Audiences can see that the struggles depicted in the play are part of Alabama's documented history.
The production is presented in association with Theatrical Outfit and Dominion Entertainment. The show will run through Sunday, November 15.
