Hill. According to Holway, in 1911 Monroe hit .297, in 1912 he hit .208, in 1913 he hit .268, and in 1914 he .239. A popular player, he was called the "king of second basemen," "idol of all the ladies," and "the most sensational player on the American Giants' team." In 1914 the American Giants easily won the western title and swept the eastern champion Brooklyn Royal Giants in four straight games, with Monroe hitting fifth. Chicago American Giants Although still a good player in 1914, Monroe did not live to see the next baseball season. On March 16, 1915 he died of tuberculosis at his parents’ home in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the age of 37. His obituary reported that Hall of Fame manager John McGraw had once said, "Monroe was the greatest infielder he had ever seen," but that he "could not use him on account of his color." Five days after his death, it was reported that the entire Chicago American Giants baseball team played with a "piece of black crepe" around their arms, mourning for Monroe. Notes Further reading (Riley.) Bill Monroe, Personal profiles at Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. – identical to Riley (confirmed 2010-04-16) External links Brooklyn Royal Giants players Chicago American Giants players Cuban X-Giants players Philadelphia Giants players 20th-century deaths from tuberculosis Tuberculosis deaths in Tennessee Baseball players from Tennessee 1878 births 1915 deaths Year of birth uncertain 20th-century African-American people