Tom Alston Major League Baseball Player St. Louis Cardinals - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

Tom Alston was born in Greensboro, NC Jan.31,1926. He starred locally on the baseball diamond, as a sharp fielding first baseman, with NC A & T State Univ. He played in the Minor Leagues for Porterville of the Soutwest International League, batting .353 with 69 RBI in 54 games, in 1952. And later for the San Deigo Padres of the Pacific Coast League batting .297 with 23 HR in 1953. On April, 13, 1954 he made his debut at first base for the St. Louis Cardinals, becoming the first Black player for the Cardinals. He played for the Cardinals 1954-1957, and split time between the Major and Minor Leagues 1955-1957.

His career was derailed by an illness of Neurasthenia which at that time was really not treatable, or understood. Also in 1956 Hall of Famer Stan Musial moved in from the outfield to first base to help prolong his career. Thus ending Alston's chances of winning the postion again.

Mr. Alston was a personal friend of mine, and loved to talk baseball. He never had a unkind word for anyone. And was a true gentleman to the end. I was very surprised the first time I met him in about 1987. He was one of the tallest people I had ever met. He was listed in his playing days as 6'5", but he seamed taller. His feet were so long they looked like movie props, and his hands, especially his fingers were very long. Tall and slim even in his 60's he really did not look much different than his baseball cards, and pictures from that era.

Life sort of dealt him a rough hand, but I never heard him complain. He had this killer smile/grin, that was infectious. You could not help but smile when talking with him. He was a gentle giant indeed. He passed away Dec. 30, 1993 in Winston Salem, NC of a prolonged illness, natural causes. I was lucky enough to have visited him a day or two before he passed away. He was as always a true gentleman, soft spoken, and a gracious host, with a smile that lit up the room.

Please note two things on his grave marker. The mention of his US Navy service, and his induction into the Hall of Fame for NC A & T State Univ. I do believe he would have been as proud of those as anything else he will be remembered for.

His gravesite is located at Goshen United Methodist Church 3300 Randalman Rd. Greensboro, NC 27406. It has easy access from the parking lot, and is well maintained by the grounds crew.

Description: Tom Alston Major League Baseball Player First Black Baseball Player for the St. Louis Cardinals Date of birth: 01/31/1926 Date of death: 12/30/1993 Area of notoriety: Sports Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Church cemetary, Open to public Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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