Jackie Robinson Day: Remembering the Black men who played in the majors before he broke the color barrier
By Jordan Smith
Black major leaguers who predate Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was far from the first Black man to play in the major leagues. Here are the four Black men who preceded him.
Major League Baseball will hold its annual Jackie Robinson Day celebrations on Thursday, commemorating the man who broke MLB’s color barrier in 1947.
Thousands of players will sport Robinson s iconic No. 42, which has been retired league-wide since 1997.
Ballclubs will post photos thanking him for ending segregated baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Robinson s former team, are sure to outdo them all.