Stories of Black baseball

Stories that highlight the lives and experiences of Black ballplayers through key moments in history, artifacts and baseball cards.

Featured Story

Doby blazed trails on, off field

On June 30, 1978, Larry Doby became the second Black manager in AL/HL history.

In 1971, Satchel Paige came to Cooperstown

The Hall of Fame election and induction of Satchel Paige opened the doors to Cooperstown to dozens of Negro League legends.

Bud Fowler’s life blazed a trail from Cooperstown

Bud Fowler blazed a trail for Black professional baseball players with a number of teams, including the Page Fence Giants.

Charley Pride was a star on the field and at the mic

Charley Pride's love of baseball and music brought him to Cooperstown.

Pre-Negro Leagues stars laid the foundation for integration

Before the birth of the Negro Leagues, pioneering Black players proved they belonged in pro baseball.

#Shortstops: History’s mysteries preserved in Big Bill Smith scrapbook

The scrapbook of William T. "Big Bill" Smith helps to tell the story of pre-Negro Leagues baseball in the early 20th century.

New PWCC cards in Shoebox Treasures highlight integration of baseball

PWCC Vault adds new cards to Museum's Shoebox Treasures exhibit.

Rube Foster’s writing predicted future of Black baseball

Rube Foster's vision made the Negro National League a reality in 1920.

National tragedy brought baseball to a halt for two days in 1968

Out of respect for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., players on the Pittsburgh Pirates refused to play on the day of his funeral, and ultimately MLB delayed the season two days.

Smith’s vision helped clear Jackie’s path to majors

Sportswriter and Spink Award winner Wendell Smith worked tirelessly to push for baseball's integration.

Brown’s lone big league homer made history

Willard Brown made history on Aug. 13, 1947 when he became the first Black ballplayer to homer in the major leagues.

The Taylors, including Hall of Famer Ben Taylor, helped define a generation of baseball in the Negro Leagues

Ben Taylor was one of the most respected first basemen of his time.

The History of Baseball and Civil Rights in America

A timeline of historic events.

Black newspapers preserved Negro Leagues history

For decades, the history of the Negro Leagues was written in Black newspapers.

#Shortstops: Rube Foster’s home team

Letters from Rube Foster highlight one of the many challenges faced by Negro League teams.

Larkin’s loyalty made him the Cincinnati kid

The 12-time All-Star shortstop spent entire MLB career with the Reds.

Hall call puts exclamation point on Gibson’s career

Bob Gibson's career of excellence culminated in a first-ballot election to the Hall of Fame in 1981.