James "Cool Papa" Bell was an American baseball player known for his exceptional speed and skill in the Negro Leagues. Born on May 17, 1903, in Starkville, Mississippi, he played primarily as a center fielder. Bell's career spanned from the 1920s to the 1940s, during which he played for teams like the St. Louis Stars and the Pittsburgh Crawfords. Bell was often regarded as one of the fastest players in baseball history, with legends claiming he could run the bases in under 13 seconds. His talent earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974, recognizing his contributions to the sport and the impact of the Negro Leagues on American baseball.