Best nicknames in Kansas City sports history
By Ben Almquist
Best Kansas City sports nicknames #6
Charles Rogan – Monarchs: “Bullet Joe”
There may not have been a player in Kansas City Monarchs history who epitomized that organization more than Charles Rogan. Known as “Bullet Joe”, Rogan was one of the most dominant pitchers in Negro League history. According to the history books, his fastball certainly deserved the moniker.
The amazing thing about Rogan though is that there is more to him than just a dominant fast ball. Like the fact he didn’t get his start in the Negro Leagues until he was 30 years old…or that he was still dominant into his 40s. There is also the fact that “Bullet Joe” Rogan was also one of the best hitters of all time, posting the 10th highest career average in league history.
The unfortunate legacy of the Negro Leagues is that racism prevented so many truly great athletes from getting their chance in the Major Leagues. However, the greatness of many of those players still transcends all of that. Certainly that is the case for Charles Wilbur “Bullet Joe” Rogan.