Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier

Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Barrier — page 5
6 theaters and pools read Whites only That same discrimination extended to baseball By 1900 black players were not allowed in organized baseball That included major league teams and the minor league teams associated with them No official rule prohibited black players But team owners would not hire them This became known as baseball’s color barrier or color line With organized baseball off-limits top black players joined all-black teams These teams played in what came to be known as the Negro Leagues Most white fans paid no attention to the Negro Leagues But by the 1940s that began to change Sometimes Negro Leagues teams played offseason exhibition games against major leaguers The Negro Leagues teams often won In some cities Negro Leagues teams rented major league stadiums and played there White reporters took notice of their skills They began to write about how good the best Negro Leagues players were MOSES FLEETWOOD WALKER On May 1 1884 Moses Fleetwood Walker played catcher for Toledo Ohio in the major league American Association He is widely credited with being the first black major leaguer A few black players followed him However baseball’s color line was drawn soon after By the late 1800s there were no blacks in organized baseball