Joseph Vann Durham is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A former outfielder, he appeared in Major League Baseball in 93 games for the Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals. Durham attended Shaw University. He threw and batted right-handed; he was listed as 6 feet 1 inch tall and 186 pounds. Durham began his professional career in the Negro Leagues with the Chicago American Giants, then was signed by Bill Veeck, president of the St. Louis Browns, prior to the 1953 season. He was in the Browns' farm system when the franchise moved to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1954. After an outstanding season in the Double-A Texas League in 1954, he was recalled by the Orioles in September and in ten games collected nine hits in 44 plate appearances, including his first Major League home run off Al Sima of the Philadelphia Athletics on September 12. Durham then missed the 1955?1956 seasons performing military service. He began the 1957 season in the Texas League ? but was recalled by Baltimore in June after batting a torrid .391 over the first 50 games of the season. 

July 31st, 1931 in   /  Died:   Apr 28th, 2016