This week as part of Black History Month, we look back at the pioneers of Baseball and those that came 1st in Major League Baseball for each team. Today we celebrate Bob Trice, Ernie Banks, Curt Roberts & Carlos Bernier.
September 13th 1953 brought Bob Trice to the Philadelphia A’s, a full 7 seasons after Robinson debuted. Trice played for a couple of years and was out of baseball by 1955. Trice would finish his career with a 9-9 record, with 9 complete games and a 5.80 ERA.
September 17th, 1953 featured the debut of Ernie Banks with the Chicago Cubs. Mr. Cub was an 11x All-Star, 2x MVP and hit 512 HR’s in 19 years. He was elected to the Baseball HOF in 1977
April 13th 1954 brought Curt Roberts to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The GM of Pirates was Branch Rickey. Roberts would get his 1st hit off Robin Roberts before struggling at the plate and playing for a few more seasons. Roberts was signed by Branch Rickey.
In 1953, the Pirates brought up a young Puerto Rican named Carlos Bernier, who some credit as being the actual first black player to play for the Pirates. Because Bernier was Puerto Rican, he is often overlooked and the honor is bestowed upon Curt Roberts.
#HistoryInYourSize
