Black Baseball
Blackball – Remembering Negro League Baseball
Whenever I watch a baseball game the last thing I pay attention to is what race or color the players are. While most of us, especially the younger generation, takes integration in sports for granted, the only differences we’re likely to see are the color of the team’s uniforms. We forget, or may not be aware, that at one time in our nation’s History Baseball was a segregated sport.
During the late 1800′s, African-Americans were forced to form their own teams because they were not accepted into the major and minor baseball leagues. The first black professional baseball team was formed in 1885 and was named the Babylon Black Panthers. The team was later renamed the Cuban Giants by a white businessman who hoped to attract more white fans to the games. The team became popular, and because of its success, many similarly named teams like the Cuban X-Giants, emerged eager to be accepted by white patrons. These “Cuban” teams were made up of African-Americans and not Cubans. At that time the U.S. and Cuba were allies and friendly towards each other, so the rationale was that it would sound more appealing.
Following the end of the American Civil War in 1865, black baseball, comprised mainly of former soldiers and black officers, sprouted predominantly in the East and Mid-Atlantic states. Philadelphia became its main hub. Despite segregation, black teams thrived. They not only played each other but the bulk of their income was earned playing against white independent semi-pro clubs.
During World War I, the migration of African-Americans from the South to the North accelerated due to the work force needed by the defense industry. With the growth of urban black populations came a more affluent fan base with extra money to spend on baseball games. During this time a former pitcher for the Cubans named Andrew “Rube” Foster worked to establish an all-black league that was more stable and organized. He insisted that black teams should be owned solely by black men. At the time many of these teams were owned and promoted by white businessmen. By 1920, thanks to the efforts by Foster, the Negro National League was established in Kansas City, Missouri. Andrew Foster became its president and controlled every aspect of the league and its players. Despite this achievement, the Negro National League folded after the 1931 season due to hard economic times.
During World War II, as millions of African-Americans worked in war industries, they also filled the stands to watch league games in every city. They were making good money and wanted to reap the benefits of the economic boom while at the same time demanding social justice. As black players came to be regarded as prospects and began signing with Major League Baseball teams, the color barrier began to come down and the demise of the Negro leagues began fading into oblivion.
The first black player to break the color barrier was Jackie Robinson. Brooklyn Dodgers owner, Branch Rickey, signed Robinson in 1946 to help integrate Major League Baseball. Prior to his signing with the Dodgers, Robinson had played professionally in the Negro Leagues. Although black players were getting noticed, they were also being tested to see how well they could endure the racist jeers from the heckling crowds and objections from new teammates at having to play with African-Americans on their team. Harassment and threats was the price black players had to pay for the right to be integrated into the major leagues.
Among those who had their start in the Negro Leagues and considered pioneers in breaking the color barrier in baseball were Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe. Like teammate Jackie Robinson, they also played for the Dodgers.
The early Negro leagues not only served to nurture the talents of young African-American baseball players, but they also brought the game to the masses of black baseball fans that enjoyed the sport. Before its demise, the Negro leagues were among the largest and most prosperous black-owned business ventures of its time.
About the Author
I’m a world traveler who also enjoys writing, photography, Labrador Retrievers, and football. I’m currently running a pro sports website that connects visitors to sports retailers, news, information, and videos.
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DeMarini CF4 Black Baseball Bat
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Jackie Robinson and the Story of All-Black Baseball $3.95 Over 40 years ago Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major-league baseball. Here’s a dramatic recap of that event as well as a fascinating look at the little-known days of the Negro leagues–the barnstorming, the great teams, and the legen… |
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Out of Left Field (Hardcover) $26.46 Here is an eye-opening look at one of baseball`s most intriguing and little known stories: the many-faceted relationship between Jews and black baseball in Jim Crow America. In Out of Left Field, Rebecca Alpert explores how Jewish sports… |
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Only the Ball Was White (DVD) $9.62 The story of black baseball before Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier. |
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The Kings of Casino Park (Hardcover) $36.63 In the 1930s, Monroe, Louisiana, was a town of twenty-six thousand in the northeastern corner of the state, an area described by the New Orleans Item as the “lynch law center of Louisiana.” race relations were bad, a… |
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Negro Leagues $5.93 When Emily goes to the Baseball Hall of Fame, she gets the chance to learn all about the Negro League and soon writes her report on the early players who changed the face of the game during such a difficult period of segregation and discrimination. |
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Rube Foster in His Time (Paperback) $37.72 Description not available. |
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Of Monarchs and Black Barons (Paperback) $32.66 “This anthology provides insights into black baseball, examining socio-economic and political conditions that created this institution, spotlighting players who characterized its special flavor and spirit. Based on forty years of research and interview… |
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Black Heart Spiked Baseball Belly Ring $7.99 Black Heart Spiked Baseball Belly Ring Hit a homerun with this baseball belly ring. Spiked baseball navel ring. Sports belly ring designed with a surgical steel barbell and a heart shaped charm with a black background. Specifications: 14 Gauge (1.6mm), 7/16″ (11mm), Anodized Titanium, 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel, 5mm Ball Belly Button Navel Ring Body Jewelry |
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I Love NY Black Baseball Glove & Ball Keychain $4.99 “Nothing says New York quite like Baseball! This officially licensed “”I love NY Baseball Glove & Ball Keychain”" manufactured by City Merchandise features a miniature baseball glove, black “”I heart NY”" baseball, and the classic “”I heart NY”" pendant.” |
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Black Writers/Black Baseball $35 This book is in New – Excellent condition |
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Kangol Canvas Baseball – Navy $36.95 This classic Canvas Baseball cap is shape into a sensational style that’s sweeping all the fashion conscious guys in the nation. Available Colors: Putty, White, Black, Navy. |
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Ultimate Cycle Products UCP Baseball Hats $21.95 UCP Baseball Hats Available in black Choice of Skull or Choppers emblems |
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Kelly Clarkson KC Crest Baseball Hat $30 Black baseball hat featuring the Kelly Clarkson “KC” Crest. |
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I Love NY Black Baseball Bat & Ball Keychain $4.99 “Nothing says New York quite like Baseball! This officially licensed “”American Flag Black Baseball Bat & Ball Keychain”" manufactured by City Merchandise features a miniature bat, black “”I heart NY”" baseball, and the classic “”I heart NY”" pendant.” |
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Stylish Canvas Baseball Hat with Adjustable Strap(Star/Black) $5.24 - Color: black- Keep your head covered in style with this trendy baseball hat- Adjustable strap in the back |
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Element Funky Girls Baseball T-Shirt Black $23.99 100% cotton body, 90 cotton/10 poly sleeves baseball tee with front graphic. |
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Carroll Leather LEATHER BASEBALL CAP $41.99 LEATHER BASEBALL CAPS Made of black dyed, soft, natural grained leather with reinforced stitching One size fits all |
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Boston, MA, Boston Beaneaters, Black Jack Burdock, Baseball Card, no.2 $19.99 Boston, MA, Boston Beaneaters, Black Jack Burdock, Baseball Card, no.2 – Premium Poster |
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Boston, MA, Boston Beaneaters, Black Jack Burdock, Baseball Card, no.1 $19.99 Boston, MA, Boston Beaneaters, Black Jack Burdock, Baseball Card, no.1 – Premium Poster |
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Tim McGraw Logo Baseball Cap $14.99 Adjustable, unstructured black baseball cap. Features “Tim McGraw” logo in white on front. Made in the USA. |
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KISS Kruise Baseball Jersey Tee $27.95 This baseball jersey tee features the KISS Kruise artwork on front. 3/4 black sleeve and white chest 100% cotton. |
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Nickelback 2012 Logo Baseball Cap $34.95 The Nickelback logo appears on front of this flexfit baseball cap and “2012″ is on back. Black. OSFM. |
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Plus Size Sexy Babe Baseball Costume – Sexy Sports Costumes $43.72 This Sexy Plus Size Babe Baseball Costume includes the pink and black snap front stretch knit baseball shirt-style dress with ‘The Babe’ and ’5′ detailing on the front, the black baseball cap, baseball, mitt and striped socks. |
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When to Stop the Cheering?: The Black Press, the Black Community, and the Integration of Professional Baseball $93.09 *Finalist for the 2007 Seymour Medal of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).* *Winner of the 2007 Robert Peterson Book Award of the Negro Leagues Committee of the Society for American Baseball* When to Stop the Cheering? documents the close and often conflicted relationship between the black press and black baseball beginning with the first Negro professional league of substance, the Negro National League, which started in 1920, and finishing with the dissolution of the Negro American League in 1957. When to Stop the Cheering? examines the multidimensional relationship the black newspapers had with baseball, including their treatment of and relationships with baseball officials, team owners, players and fans. Over time, these relationships changed, resulting in shifts in coverage that could be described as moving from brotherhood to paternalism, then from paternalism to nostalgic tribute and even regret. |
