Baseball color line
The color line, also known as the color barrier, in American baseball stopped players of black African descent from playing Major League Baseball and its affiliated Minor Leagues until 1947 (with a few notable exceptions in the 19th century before the line was firmly established). Racial segregation in professional baseball was sometimes called a gentlemen's agreement. This means an understanding, as there was no written policy at the highest level of organized baseball, the major leagues. There was minor league's vote in 1887 against allowing new contracts with black players within its league. It sent a powerful message that eventually led to blacks not being allowed to play at all.
African Americans created the Negro leagues starting in 1887. In these leagues, African American baseball teams played against each other.
The color line was broken for good when Jackie Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization for the 1946 season.
Origins
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The beginning of segregation followed the baseball season of 1867. On October 16, the Pennsylvania State Convention of Baseball in Harrisburg denied admission to the "colored" Pythian Baseball Club.[1]
Baseball Color Line Media
Moses Fleetwood Walker of the Toledo Blue Stockings, c. 1884
Chief (Charles Albert) Bender, pitcher and infielder/outfielder for the Philadelphia Athletics, head-and-shoulders portrait, facing slightly left.
Jackie Robinson in 1954
Cleveland Indians centerfielder Larry Doby.
Bud Fowler of the Keokuk professional baseball team
References
- ↑ Gordon, Patrick. On the field, Pythian baseball club was rivaled by few. Philadelphia Baseball Review (April 2008). Retrieved 2013-08-30.
Other websites
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Playing for Keeps: Philadelphia's Pythian Base Ball Club. Archived 2011-03-29 at the Wayback Machine