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1884
Moses "Fleetwood" Walker becomes first African-American player in major league baseball, signing with the Toledo club in the American Association. -
1885
The first all-black professional team, the Cuban Giants, is founded in Babylon, New York. -
1887
The National Colored Base Ball League, the first attempt at a professional Negro League, is formed.
The league includes Lord Baltimores (Baltimore), Resolutes (Boston), Browns (Cincinnati), Falls City (Louisville), Gorhams (New York), Pythians (Philadelphia), Pittsburgh Keystones, Capital City Club (Washington). -
1890
The International League implements a ban on African-American players. The league's ban will continue until 1946. -
1895
"Bud" Fowler forms the Page Fence Giants club, one of black baseball's early powerhouse teams. Based in Adrian, Michigan the club tours the Midwest and East in their own railroad car taking on all comers, including major league clubs like the Cincinnati Reds -
1896
The Page Fence Giants and Cuban Giants, the undisputed champions of black baseball in the East, play an historic series of games billed as a "national championship" series. The Page Fence club prevails, winning 10 of 15 games. -
1920
The Negro Southern League begins play in the South. League cities include Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Memphis, New Orleans and Chattanooga.
Nashville Elite Giants owner, Thomas Wilson (shown at right), serves as league president. -
1923
Ed Bolden (owner of Hilldale Club) and Nat Strong (owner of Brooklyn Royal Giants) organize the Eastern Colored League.
The six-team league begins its inaugural season with the Brooklyn Royal Giants, Hilldale Club, Bacharach Giants, Lincoln Giants, Baltimore Black Sox and Cuban Stars (East). -
1923
The Negro Southern League is the only "major" black league in operation. The league begins its seasons with only five teams, Chicago American Giants, Cleveland Cubs, Detroit Stars, Indianapolis ABCs and Louisville White Sox.
In the East a failed effort was made to reestablish an organized league. The East-West league, which included the Baltimore Black Sox, Cleveland Stars, Cuban Stars, Hilldales, Homestead Grays and Newark Browns, failed to complete the season. The league disbanded in June. -
1924
The first Negro World Series is played between the Kansas City Monarchs (Negro National League Champions) and the Hilldale Club (Eastern Colored League Champions).
Kansas City wins the series championship 5 games to 4. -
1931
The Negro National League plays its final season before falling to financial pressures. -
1933
A new Negro National League is formed. Organized by Pittsburgh bar owner, Gus Greenlee, the league launches its inaugural season with seven teams — Cole's American Giants, Monroe Monarchs, Nashville Elite Giants, Montgomery Grey Sox, Louisville Black Caps and Indianapolis ABCs.
The first East-West Colored All-Star Game is played at Chicago's Comiskey Park before 20,000+ fans. The West defeated the East 11-7. -
1946
Jackie Robinson is signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers organization and debuts with the Montreal Royals as the first black player in organized baseball in half a century. -
1947
Jackie Robinson joins the Brooklyn Dodgers and becomes the first black player in major league baseball during the modern era.
Robinson wins the National League Rookie Of The Year award as he solidifies his position in a pennant winning Dodger lineup. Larry Doby is signed by the Cleveland Indians and becomes the first black player in the American League. -
1948
Satchel Paige is signed by the Cleveland Indians and becomes baseball's all-time oldest "rookie" at the age of 42.
The Negro National League plays its final season, disbanding at the end of the year. -
1952
By the end of the season more than 150 former Negro League players have been integrated into organized baseball. Without its greatest stars, and struggling with low attendance, the great era of Negro League baseball comes to a close.
