There were integrated professional leagues before Claxton. I have a Central California League team photo with several African Americans in it from 1910 of the Elmhurst Incubators that was totally integrated and other leagues had similar loose restrictions in the low Minors but they were still absolutely Professionals. I am not deminishing in any way what Claxton did as the PCL was a high Minor League that rivaled the Majors in many ways, but..... it would be inaccurate to say that he was the first "Professional" Black player in Baseball in the 20th century.
Interesting that the little kid bat boy in this photo is Buzz Arlett future PCL superstar at 10 years old, his older brother in white shirt (who the next year would be in the PCL and have a Zeenut card) is Alex "Pop" Arlett!
Rhys
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