About Inductee

Eugene Scruggs, a native of Madison County, earned his formal education in the Madison County Schools. The manager and players of the Moores Mill Red Sox team provided him with the encouragement and support to help him believe in his ability to play in the Negro League. He went on to a great career in the Negro Professional Baseball League. The caliber of play in the League has only been generally recognized during the last few decades. Eugene has been honored during the past few years as among the best of his time in the league. Eugene is a lifetime member of the following organizations: The Negro League Baseball Museum, Alabama Negro League Organization, Yesterday Negro League of Milwaukee, WI and the Alabama Board of Funeral Services. Eugene credits the following for making it possible to develop his baseball career: the Moores Mill Red Sox team and manager, R.E. Nelms, for introducing him to the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Stars, and Ted Rasberry, the owner of the Negro League teams, who gave Eugene the break he needed to play. Eugene Scruggs has been named as an Honorary Citizen of cities from Tuskeegee, AL to Jackson, MS. He was present at the 75th Anniversary of the Negro League Baseball Reunion in Kansas City, MO. in 1975 and was present at the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Robinsons entry into Major League Baseball in 1997 by the Atlanta Braves. He was honored in Huntsville in 2002 by throwing out the first pitch at the Little League season opening ceremonies. Eugene is married to Ethel Scruggs and they have six children.