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”.
1948 would see one of the greats from the Negro Leagues make his debut on August 13th, when Satchel Paige would join the American Leagues Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black pitcher in that league and shutting out the Chicago White Sox.
The 1948 World Series would witness two firsts:
- Larry Doby becomes the first black player to hit a home run in a World Series game.
- Satchel Paige becomes the first black pitcher to pitch in a World Series game.
July 8th in 1949 – Don Newcombe (Brooklyn Dodgers) would face Hank Thompson (New York Giants) to become the first black pitcher to face each other during a game.
1949 would see our first black All-Star players, Larry Doby for the American League, and Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe for the National League.
11-18-1949 Jackie Robinson is the first black player to win a Most Valuable Player Award.
1949’s MVP would be won by Jackie Robinson, who would become the leagues first black award winner.
#HistoryInYourSize
