Oland Cecil Dials (1904 - 1994)

Born 10 Jan 1904 in Hot Springs, Garland, Arkansas, United States

Ancestors

Died 5 Apr 1994 at age 90 in Modesto, Stanislaus, California, United States

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Biography

Oland Dials is Notable.

Oland "Lou" Cecil Dials is a notable person due to his extraordinary contributions to the world of baseball during the era of racial segregation. As a prominent player in the Negro Baseball League, Lou's exceptional skills as an outfielder and first baseman earned him widespread recognition and respect among his peers and fans. Despite facing racial prejudice and the closed doors of organized baseball, he never lost his love for the game and continued to play with unmatched passion and dedication. His impressive achievements on the field, including leading his team to championships and earning the title of Most Valuable Player in the Mexican League, showcase his immense talent and impact on the sport. Beyond his playing career, Lou's commitment to baseball endured, as he later became a scout and promoter of the Negro League legacy. His perseverance and unwavering love for baseball make him a remarkable figure in sports history, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.^[1][2]

Oland "Lou" Cecil Dials, born on January 10, 1904, in Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas, was destined to become a baseball legend. His parents, Lewis Cecil Dials and Nellie Vance (French) Dials, raised him with love and support, instilling in him a passion for the game.^[3]

In his early years, he lived on East Santa Barbara Avenue in Los Angeles, California^[4], where his talent on the baseball field started to shine. Lou played as an outstanding outfielder and first baseman in the Negro Baseball League, making a name for himself with each swing of the bat.^[1]

He began his professional baseball career with the Chicago American Giants in 1925, and continued with them until 1928, with a brief stint in 1936. Lou's journey led him to play for various teams, including the Birmingham Black Barons in 1928, the Memphis Red Sox in 1929, the Detroit Stars from 1930 to 1931, and the Homestead Grays in 1932, among others.^[2][5]

Lou's batting prowess was undeniable, and in 1931, while playing for the Detroit Stars, he led the team to a league championship with a remarkable batting average of .382. Two years later, he achieved another impressive .370 batting average while playing for the Cleveland Giants.^[1]

During his career, Lou's exceptional skills caught the attention of the higher-paying Mexican League, where he earned the title of Most Valuable Player in 1939. "Lou Dials was a great ball-player. He hit, and hit for power," praised "Cool Papa" Bell, a Baseball Hall of Famer, highlighting Lou's impact on the sport.^[1]

Beyond his baseball achievements, Lou pursued a college degree in electrical engineering. However, the outbreak of World War II led him to work as a janitor at Northrop Aviation during the baseball off-season. Recognizing his potential, he enlisted in the Merchant Marine as an electrician, and after the war, he worked for Lockheed Corporation until his retirement in 1959 as an electrical inspector.^[1][6]

Throughout his life, Lou's love for baseball remained unwavering. Even during retirement, he couldn't stay away from the game and became a scout for the Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles for a time.^[2]

In 1989, Lou resided in Modesto, California, where he ran his own business, promoting a line of Negro League baseball cards and attending card shows across the country. He expressed his deep connection to the sport, stating, "Baseball is my life. I owe everything I have, everything I am to baseball." Despite the racial prejudice he faced during his playing years, Lou's passion for the game never faltered.^[1]

He never harbored resentment for being born in an era with closed doors in organized baseball. Instead, he focused on playing the game he loved, and retired from baseball in 1946 at the age of 42. Lou's determination and talent nearly broke the barriers of segregation when the Los Angeles Angels showed interest in him in 1943, but the club's owner ultimately denied him the opportunity.^[1][7]

Lou lived a humble life in his small north Modesto townhouse, where he treasured his baseball memorabilia, including bats, posters, trophies, and pins from his illustrious career. He passed away on April 5, 1994, at his home in Modesto, Stanislaus County, California, leaving behind a legacy of greatness in baseball.^[1][8][9]

At the time of his death, two daughters survived Lou Oland Dials, a testament to his lasting impact on and off the baseball field. He will forever be remembered as a pioneer in the Negro Leagues and a true baseball legend whose love for the game knew no bounds.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8} Newspaper Clipping, The Modesto Bee, Modesto, California, 8 Apr 1994, Fri. - Page 5. "Legend of Negro Leagues Lou Oland Dials, dies at 90." "Continued from B-1." Accessed 3 Aug 2023.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Wikipedia Contributors. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, last edited on 27 Jul 2023. "Lou Dials." Accessed 3 Aug 2023.
3. ↑ Arkansas, Birth Certificates, 1914-1922: Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Birth Certificates; Year: 1904 Ancestry Record 61774 #548325
4. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census: Year: 1920; Census Place: Los Angeles Assembly District 73, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T625_114; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 397 Ancestry Record 6061 #632286
5. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census: Year: 1930; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Page: 23A; Enumeration District: 0307; FHL microfilm: 2339879 Ancestry Record 6224 #90098318
6. ↑ U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947: National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For California, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 457 Ancestry Record 2238 #18573597
7. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Palm Springs, Riverside, California; Roll: 3681; Page: 34; Enumeration District: 33-47 Ancestry Record 62308 #265017408
8. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: Social Security Administration; Washington D.C., USA; Social Security Death Index, Master File Ancestry Record 3693 #15429471
9. ↑ California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997: Place: Stanislaus; Date: 5 Apr 1994; Social Security: 710104471 Ancestry Record 5180 #1850603

See also:

• Wikidata: Item Q16013186