200 Attend Memorial Service for Haynes

More than 200 mourners, including former Dodger manager Tom Lasorda and former major league players Lou Johnson and Jim “Mudcat” Grant, attended Wednesday’s memorial service for former Negro League catcher and community activist Sammie Haynes.

The memorial was held at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles.

Haynes, 77, who died Nov. 11 of cancer and was cremated, played for the Atlanta Black Crackers and Kansas City Monarchs from 1938-45 and was a teammate of Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige before his playing career was cut short because of glaucoma. He managed the Black Crackers from 1945-47.

Born in Atlanta, Haynes moved to Los Angeles in 1948, and worked as a furniture salesman until joining a finance and credit company. In 1964 he opened the first of two credit collection and management schools in Los Angeles called Safair.

In 1986 Haynes founded the International Society of Athletes to provide assistance to indigent ex-athletes, both professional and amateur. Last year Haynes introduced a line of Negro League baseball cards to raise funds for needy former players.

Haynes was recognized by President Clinton and former L.A. Mayor Tom Bradley for his community contributions. Haynes also was presented a Victors Award, sponsored by The City of Hope National Medical Center and Beckman Research Institute, on June 21.