Who was the next black baseball player after Jackie Robinson?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 11, 2026
Perhaps no one is more remembered for being second than Larry Doby. He was the second African-American to play in the National League or American League – but the first in the AL – in the modern era after Jackie Robinson.
Who is the second African-American player in Major League Baseball after Jackie Robinson?
Note: Johnny Wright was the second Black player signed to a contract by the Dodgers, and was on the roster of the 1946 Montreal Royals at the same time as Jackie Robinson, but never played in the Major Leagues.
Who was the last MLB team to have a black player?
But the last team to integrate was the Boston Red Sox, who on July 21, 1959, 12 years after Jackie Robinson made his debut and three years after he retired added Elijah Jerry “Pumpsie” Green to its roster.
How many black players joined the MLB after Jackie Robinson?
4 Black Baseball Players Who Followed Jackie Robinson's Lead in 1947. After Jackie Robinson famously broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, four other Black players joined MLB teams—the same year.
Who was the first black American League baseball player?
Moses Fleetwood Walker was the first African American to play pro baseball, six decades before Jackie Robinson.
24 related questions foundWho was the 3rd black baseball player?
3. Hank Thompson – 1947-1956.
Who was the third black baseball player?
Around midseason, Walker's younger brother, Weldy Wilberforce Walker, joined him on the team, becoming the third and final black major leaguer before Jackie Robinson. Moses Walker batted . 263 in 42 games during his one major league season, a year that wore on him emotionally and physically.
What baseball team has the most black players?
SEATTLE — Of the 30 Major League Baseball teams, the Mariners currently have the most African Americans on their spring training roster.
Who was the greatest black baseball player?
Willie Mays
There is no finer all-around player in MLB history than Mays, a 24-time All-Star who collected 660 home runs, had eight consecutive 100 RBI seasons, and earned 12 Gold Glove Awards, most ever by an outfielder.
Was there a black MLB player before Jackie Robinson?
Walker played in the minor leagues until 1889, and was the last African-American to participate on the major league level before Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color line in 1947. After his baseball career, he became a successful businessman and inventor.
Who was Red Sox first black player?
Who was second? MOST RED SOX fans know that Elijah “Pumpsie” Green (above left) was the first African American player for the Boston Red Sox, the last team in Major League Baseball to integrate.
When did the MLB allow black players?
African-American baseball players were not allowed to play in what would come to be known as Major League Baseball until 1947 as Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
How much did Negro League players get paid per day?
As the popularity of Negro League baseball grew so did the salaries. During the 1920s players could earn a monthly salary between $100 and $400. The money made by each player would correspond to the player's perceived worth on the team.
Who was the 2nd black player in MLB?
Perhaps no one is more remembered for being second than Larry Doby. He was the second African-American to play in the National League or American League – but the first in the AL – in the modern era after Jackie Robinson.
Who was the first black pitcher in Major League Baseball?
In the video above, WVTM 13's Jeff Eliasoph tells you about the legacy of Dan Bankhead, the first Black pitcher to play in Major League Baseball. In the 1940s, the Walker County native's stellar skills quickly moved him up from the Negro leagues to the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he played alongside Jackie Robinson.
Who is considered the greatest pitcher in Negro League history?
Ty Cobb, one of the greatest players in big-league history, said Williams would have been a “sure 30-game winner” had he played in the majors. In a 1952 poll by the Pittsburgh Courier, one of the leading Black newspapers in the United States, Williams was named the greatest pitcher in Negro League history.
Who is the number 1 baseball player of all time?
Babe Ruth, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees
It should come as no surprise that “The Sultan of Swat” tops our list of the best baseball players of all time. He posted Hall of Fame-caliber numbers in his first five seasons with the Boston Red Sox (981 OPS, 190 OPS+.
What percent of MLB is Black?
The number of Black players in MLB remained relatively stable from 1977 to 1987 – and then the well nearly dried up. Today, the number of African-American players sits at an all-time low of roughly 7 percent.
What percent of NFL is Black?
But wow—about 70% of NFL players are black.
What races make up African-American?
On average, African Americans are of West/Central African with some European descent; some also have Native American and other ancestry. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, African immigrants generally do not self-identify as African American.
Who was the first Black Yankee?
On this date in 1955, Elston Howard became the first Black man to play for the New York Yankees baseball team. He played catcher and won the American league MVP award leading the team in batting (.
Are there any living Negro League players?
From 1940 to 1949, 1,705 men played at least one game in the National League or American League plus hundreds maybe thousands more in the Negro Leagues. Of them, only 11 are still alive as of January 10, 2022.
How old was Satchel Paige when he entered the major leagues in 1948?
At the age of 42, Paige made his American League debut when Bill Veeck signed him to a contract with the Indians on July 7, 1948. Two days later, Paige made his debut for a Cleveland club involved in one of the tightest pennant races in American League history.
Are any players from the Negro Leagues still alive?
Below is a list of 52 players who played for major Negro league teams up to 1950 and eventually saw playing time for a Major League team. Of these, nine have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and two of them (Greason and Mays) are still alive.