John Henry Lloyd
| John Henry "Pop" Lloyd | |||
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| Shortstop | |||
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Born: April 25, 1884 Palatka, Florida |
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Died: March 19, 1964 (aged 79) Atlantic City, New Jersey |
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| Negro league baseball debut | |||
| 1906, Cuban X-Giants | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| 1932, Bacharach Giants | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Member of the National | |||
 Baseball Hall of Fame
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| Inducted | 1977 | ||
| Election Method | Negro League Committee | ||
John Henry "Pop" Lloyd (April 25, 1884 – March 19, 1964), nicknamed "El Cuchara", was an American baseball shortstop and manager in the Negro leagues. He is generally considered the greatest shortstop in Negro league history, and both Babe Ruth and Ted Harlow, a noted sportswriter, reportedly believed Lloyd to be the greatest baseball player ever.
He was a heavy hitter, usually batting cleanup during his prime, but also knew how to play "inside baseball," and was an expert place-hitter and bunter. Lloyd was also a renowned shortstop, ranked by most experts as second only to Dick Lundy among black shortstops before integration, and was referred to as the "Black Wagner," a reference to Pittsburgh Pirates Hall-of-Famer Honus Wagner. (On Lloyd, Wagner said "It's an honor to be compared to him.")
Known for his gentlemanly conduct, Lloyd was probably the most sought-after African-American player of his generation. "Wherever the money was, that's where I was," he once said. His career record bears this out, showing him constantly moving from team to team.
Lloyd is thought to have been born in Palatka, Florida. He was a descendant of slaves and his father had died when Lloyd was a baby.
Lloyd's maternal grandmother, Maria Jenkins, raised him in Jacksonville. Jenkins had lived in Jacksonville prior to moving to Palatka. The return to Jacksonville may have been prompted by a great fire that had damaged businesses and changed the overall economic situation in Palatka. Before Lloyd had completed elementary school, he had to go to work full-time. Early on, he delivered items for a grocery store, then he became a railroad porter.
Lloyd began his professional baseball career in 1905, playing catcher for the Acmes of Macon, Georgia. He played second base with the Cuban X Giants of Philadelphia in 1906. He acquired the nickname "El Cuchara", which translates to "The Shovel" or "The Tablespoon", a reference to his ability to field batted balls.
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