Sherman L. Maxwell, a chronicler of Negro league baseball and, some believe, the first black sports broadcaster, died on Wednesday in West Chester, Pa. Maxwell, known as Jocko, was 100 and had lived most of his life in Newark.

The cause was complications of pneumonia, said his son, Bruce Maxwell.

A lifelong sports enthusiast -- those closest to him said he was sports-obsessed -- Mr. Maxwell made his living as a postal clerk in Newark and, according to his sister, Berenice Maxwell Cross, was rarely paid for his radio work.

He reportedly began his radio career in 1929 at the age of 22, and although accounts differ on where, most point to WNJ, known in the 1920s as ''the voice of Newark'' and owned by Herman Lubinsky, later a co-founder of the jazz and gospel label Savoy Records. Many who have written about Mr. Maxwell...