Jackie Robinson’s pioneering venture in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Larry Doby’s three months later with the Cleveland Indians opened door after door for other African-Americans to realize the dream of playing in Major League Baseball. Like both Robinson and Doby – many came from the Negro Leagues.

Some clubs reacted swiftly while others took more than a decade to integrate.

Hank Thompson – St. Louis Browns (July 17, 1947)

Thompson was a man of firsts himself. The former Kansas City Monarch not only was the first African-American to suit up for the St. Louis Browns. Thompson along with team mate Willard Brown, who signed with the Browns on July 20 – became the first black duo to start for a major league team.

A little less than two years later (July 8, 1949) he was also the first to wear the jersey of the New York Giants. He along with Negro Leagues great Monte Irvin took the field at the same time on that day.

Sam Jethroe – Boston Braves (April 18, 1950)

Jethroe led the Cincinnati / Cleveland Buckeyes to two-Negro Leagues championships and upon moving to Major League Baseball, Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey purchased Jethroe’s contract from the Buckeyes for $5,000 and assigned him to the Dodgers minor league affiliate Montreal. He was dealt to Boston in 1949 and in his debut season with the Braves the sweet-swinging catcher was named National League Rookie of the Year in 1950.

Minnie Minoso  – Chicago White Sox  (May 1, 1951)

The Latin influence in the Negro Leagues had been around for years – but not in the Major Leagues. Minnie Minoso broke the color barrier with the Chicago White Sox. Minoso spent several years playing in the Negro Leagues before being signed by the Cleveland Indians. In 1951 he was named the Sporting News American League Rookie of the Year and would appear in nine All Star games and would win three Gold Gloves before his career would come to an end.

Bob Trice – Philadelphia Athletics ( September 13, 1953)

Trice was purchased from the Ottawa A’s of the international League and became the first African-American to play for the Philadelphia A’s. The righty from Georgia went 9-9 in his three-season Major League Baseball career with a 5.80 ERA.

Ernie Banks – Chicago Cubs (September 17, 1953)

Mr. Cub made his big league debut in 1953 and stayed a Cub until he retired in 1971. Banks began his career in Kansas City with the Monarchs of the Negro Leagues and would go on to a Hall of Fame (1977) career that saw him named to 14 All Star teams and was honored by Major League Baseball by being placed on the All Century team in 1999.

Curt Roberts – Pittsburgh Pirates (April 13, 1954)

Another former Monarch who paved the way for greats like Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell in Pittsburgh. Roberts career with the Pirates lasted just two-seasons where he hit .223.

Tom Alston – St. Louis Cardinals (April 13, 1954)

Alston played in 91-games in his three-year career for the Redbirds after begin acquired in a trade with the then minor league San Diego Padres. His rookie season in which he became the first African-American to play for the Cardinals, six-years after their Sportsmans Park partner the St. Louis Browns, Alston played in 66-games where he hit .246 with four home runs and 34 RBI.

Chuch Harmon and Nino Escalera – Cincinnati Reds (April 17, 1954)

Harmon, a utility infielder and Escalera gave the Cincinnati Reds some color in the same game on April 17, 1954. Both had very short baseball careers in the majors with Harmon playing three-years and Escalera just his rookie campaign.

Carlos Paula – Washington Senators (September 6, 1954)

Paula’s career last two short seasons with the Senators. The Cuban outfielder enjoyed his best season in 1955 when he hit .299 with 20 doubles, 7 triples and six round-trippers while driving home 45.

Elston Howard – New York Yankees (April 14, 1955)

Elston Howard is arguably the most decorated of those who were “firsts” for their teams. Howard ‘s path to the major leagues like many started in Kansas City with the Monarchs where he played for three seasons and roomed with Ernie Banks. In his illustrious career with the New York Yankees, Howard was American League MVP in 1963, won six World Series, two Gold Gloves and was tabbed an All Star 12-times.

John Kennedy – Philadelphia Phillies (April 22, 1957)

Kennedy started his baseball journey with the Birmingham Black Barons and Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues. He was leading the league in hitting when his contract was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1957. That would be the only season of his big league career. He saw action in just five games.

Ozzie Virgil – Detroit Tigers ( June 6, 1958)

Ozzie Virgil holds the distinction of being the first player from the Dominican Republic to play Major League baseball. His career both as a player and coach stretched from his rookie campaign with the Tigers in 1958 until 1988 when he served as a third base coach for Dick Williams and the Seattle Mariners.

Pumpsie Green – Boston Red Sox (July 21, 1959)

The Boston Red Sox were the last pre-expansion team to integrate. Pumpsie Green saw tile for the Sox mostly as a pinch-hitter and runner. Green’s six-year career would end as a New York Met in 1963 after five seasons in Boston. During that time, the Oklahoma native hit .246.

Dave Barr (@daveabarr)