Quick Facts
Biography
Li'l Rastus (born c. 1892, real name Ulysses Harrison) was a black youth who was adopted as a mascot by the Detroit Tigers baseball team.
Rastus was "adopted" by Ty Cobb. Although Cobb denied being a racist, he was often perceived as hostile to blacks. When Cobb brought Rastus to Bennett Park during the 1908 season, the team performed well, and performed less well when it went on a road trip without Rastus. Rastus was proclaimed to be a good luck charm, and was taken on the next road trip.
Rastus was temporarily dismissed from the Tigers' employ in September 1908. Rastus was then hired by the Chicago Cubs, the Tigers' World Series opponents, and was apparently good for their luck, as the Cubs won their second and final World Series.
The chagrined Tigers hired Rastus back for 1909, and Rastus traveled with the team. He often had to hide under Cobb's bunk or in his room to evade Jim Crow laws that imposed racial segregation in hotels. Cobb took Rastus back to Georgia with him, as a caddy and servant, but eventually fired him.
History
Rastus, whose true name was Ulysses Harrison, was a homeless black youth whom Cobb took a liking to and began bringing to the ballpark. Cobb would rub the boy's head for good luck. Rastus gained a reputation for bringing good luck, especially when the Tigers, unaccompanied by Rastus, went on the road and did badly. With the Tigers' return home to Rastus and Bennett Park, their winning ways were restored. Rastus was booked to accompany them on the next road trip.
In September 1909, Rastus was dismissed by the Tigers. Accounts differ as to why, whether small items were vanishing from the Tigers' locker room or because the team was again playing badly despite Rastus' magic. In any event, Rastus was picked up by the Chicago Cubs, who defeated the Tigers in five games.
The Tigers restored Rastus to his position for the 1909 season. Rastus would hide amongst the players or hide in Cobb's room or under his berth to evade Jim Crow laws. At the end of the season, Cobb took Rastus home to Georgia, intending to make a manservant out of him. He was not successful.