This week we continue our celebration of Black History Month, looking back at the impact of African Americans on our National Pastime with “Baseball Firsts”.
Tomorrow will mark the 99th Anniversary of the founding of the National Negro Baseball League - February 13, 1920 in Kansas City, MO – formed by Rube Foster
Four years later in 1924, the first "Negro World Series" would be played between the Negro Eastern League and National Negro Leagues, with Kansas City defeating Hilldale.
https://nlbm.mlblogs.com/1924-the-first-negro-leagues-world-series-7a6dfcfbce29
Jackie Robinson would then string together a series of firsts:
- 10/23/45 – Jackie Robinson becomes first black player to sign a major league contract with the Montreal Royals.
- 4/18/46 – Jackie Robinson becomes first black minor leaguer – Montreal Royals (vs. Jersey City Little Giants).
- 4/15/47 – Jackie Robinson plays first major league game for Brooklyn Dodgers
- 4/16/47 – Jackie Robinson gets the first hit by a black player in an MLB game – a bunt single
- 6/24/47 – Jackie Robinson becomes first black player to steal home (first of 19 in his career)
#HistoryInYourSize
