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The "Color Line"
The Color Line was an agreement that brought about the exclusion of African American baseball players from organized baseball. The Color Line was first fathomed in December of 1867, when the National Association of Base Ball Players banned “any club including one or more colored persons.”
The Color Line was dismantled on 15 April, 1947 when Jackie Robinson made his major leaue debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers. -
Moses Fleetwood Walker
Moses Fleetwood Walker signed with the minor league team called Toldeo Blue Stockings in 1883, When the team joined the American League in 1884, he became the first African-American professional baseball player. On May 1, 1884 he debuted and started an uprage amoung all sports fans.He is known for being the first black baseball player and broke the color barrier within his sport. -
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Sol White played in Negro Leagues
He later became manager in numerous leagues, and authored a book called Sol White's Official Base Ball Guide. It is the only surviving record of the early years of black baseball, demonstrating the high and low points of what African Americans had to endure. -
Cap Anson refuses to play because opponent had African American players
This was the first outward display of racism in baseball and turned heads around the baseball world. -
Dan McClellan is the First African American Player to Pitch a Perfect Game
McClellan pitched a perfect game while playing for the Cuban X-Giants on this day. This game was also credited as the first perfect game by a team of color. -
Andrew "Rube" Foster organizes the Negro National League
Andrew "Rube" Foster organized the NNL, which was the first successful organized Negro League. The creation of this league kept black players hopes and dreams of playing at a professional level alive. The league produced many baseball stars. -
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Lester "Red" Rodney
Lester "Red" Rodney is a sports editor who strives to push political issues including racial inequality in major league baseball. He is also accredited for being the first writer to scout Jackie Robinson. -
The Boston Red Sox Fail To Acknowledge Jackie Robinson in a Tryout
The Boston Red Sox unwillingly held a tryout for Jackie Robinson and two other black players; however, when they arrived for the tryout the organization refused to acknowledge them. The Red Sox were one of the most racist teams in baseball and did not sign a black player to their team until 1959. The franchise ultimately became the last team in the MLB to integrate their team. This demonstrates the extreme racism presented by the Boston organization. -
Larry Doby, First african american to be signed in the American Leagues
Larry Doby signed with the Cleveland Indians making him the second african-american player in the major leagues and the first to playin the American League. -
Jackie Robinson Signs with Brooklyn Dodgers
On this day, Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, a professional baseball team. By doing so, Robinson became the first professional baseball player since the 1880's, and broke the color barrier in America for all professional sports. -
Signing of Satchel Paige to the Cleveland Indians
Paige did not want to be the first black player in Major leagues nor did he want to start his career in the minor leagues, so he signed the Cleveland Indians when the team was in need of pitching. Making him the first black pitcher of the American league and the oldest rookie in Major League history. -
Hank Aaron makes Major League debut
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Emmett Ashford
On this day, Emmett Ashford became the first African American Major League Umpire in baseball history. He is known for his flashy showmanship, as well as his participation as umpire in the 1970 World Series. -
First African American Manager
Cleveland Indians named him the player-manager of the team, and gaved him the distinction of being the first black manager of the Major Leagues. -
Cito Gaston
The first African American Manager to win a World Series. He went on to win another title in 1993. Began Major League career as a Center Fielder for the Atlanta Braves in 1967.
