While the percentage of African Americans currently playing in Major League Baseball is almost as low as the amount of Blacks watching the games, the amount of history created by African Americans in the sport is endless.
We at NewsOne decided to create a list of 10 Black firsts in baseball history.
Check out the list below.
10. 1880′s
Before Jackie Robinson, Moses Fleetwood Walker (catcher) and his brother, Welday Walker (outfielder) were the first African American baseball players in a major league in the early 1880s. They played for the Toledo Blue Stockings of the American Association, which was once considered a major league.
9. 1924
The first “Negro World Series” is played between the Negro Eastern League and National Negro Leagues.
8. 1945
Jackie Robinson became the first Black player to sign a formal major leaguer contract when he did so with the Montreal Royals.
7. 1947
Sam Lacy of Baltimore is the first Black sportswriter admitted to the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA).
6. 1948
Satchel Paige became the first Black pitcher to pitch in a World Series game.
5. 1949
Jackie Robinson became the first Black player to win a ”Most Valuable Player Award.
4. 1958 & 1959
Ernie Banks becomes the first player to win two MVP awards back to back.
3. 1971
The Pittsburgh Pirates fielded the first all-Black starting lineup: Al Oliver 1b, Rennie Stennett 2b, Jackie Hernandez ss, Dave Cash 3b, Manny Sanguillen c, Dock Ellis p, Gene Clines lf, Roberto Clemente cf, and Willie Stargell rf.
2. 1975
Frank Robinson manages his first game with the Indians and becomes the first black major league manager.
1. 1992
Cito Gaston of the Toronto Blue Jays is the first African American manager to ever win a world championship (1992 World Series) and one year later became the first to win two consecutive world championships (1993 World Series).
African American Firsts: 10 Black Firsts In Baseball History
NewsOne Staff
Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:22:44 GMT
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