Who was the first black baseball player...

[Archive]

Posted By: chiprop

to have a card issued?

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

*

[Archive]

Posted By: Anthony N.

Claxton's Zeenut, if you don't count CdV's with Fleet Walker.

[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Good answers, once the question is fine-tuned.

Walker is first.

Or Marsans, if he counts, first in the American League, first in the National League, first in the Federal League, and to toss a bone to the Yankee beasts, first with the Yankees in 1917.

Or Jackie Robinson.

[Archive]

Posted By: Rhys

The 1887 Syracuse Team card issued by a Syracuse Billiards Hall that sold a few years back in REA is the earliest baseball card with a black player.

Rhys

[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Hey Rhys,

Anyone identify that player? A name??

[Archive]

Posted By: Anonymous

Sol White i believe was the guys name....1888 Syracuse Stars

[Archive]

Posted By: john/z28jd

It was Robert Higgins,a pitcher for that Syracuse team

[Archive]

Posted By: Ryan Christoff

Here's this "card" the first time it appeared on ebay:



Here it is, cleaner, the second time it was on ebay, front and back:






Here it is as it appeared in REA, with interestingly card-like rounded corners:




-Ryan

[Archive]

Posted By: Ol' Prof

At what level?

We're forgetting the minor leagues. I'd hate to think of listing the names thus far posted without remembering Bud Fowler, identified in the Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Basebell Leagues as "the first professional black ballplayer."(1) In 1878, Fowler pitched an exhibition game for the Lynn Live Oaks of the International Association, beating the National League Boston Nationals 2-1.

See http://www.baseballlibrary.com/chronology/byyear.php?year=1878

For a time in 1887 he was with Binghamton of the International League, until he was dropped, apparently because of his race, and "forbidden to sign with any other International League team."(2) He often played in otherwise all-white leagues, though none of them was at the now-recognized major league level. Toward the end of is career he barnstormed with several all black teams.

Mr. Fowler died of pernicious anemia in 1913.

(1,2) Quotations taken from the Biographical Encyclopedia of the Negro Basebell Leagues, p 294.

[Archive]

Posted By: Ryan Christoff

Fowler should be in the HOF, but I didn't realize he had a card. Can you post a scan or description?

Thanks,

-Ryan

[Archive]

Posted By: Matt Goebel

[Archive]

Posted By: scott fandango

i always though babe ruth was the first black player

[Archive]

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Betchu didn't know that!