1952 – The St. Louis Browns become the first major league organization to loan or sell players to a team outside of the United States when they “lend” two African-American minor league players, infielder John Britton and pitcher Jimmy Newberry, to the Hankyu Braves of the Japanese Pacific League. Abe Saperstein, owner and coach of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, negotiated this special example in lend-lease for both sides.

On April 28, 1952 — 1952 – The St. Louis Browns become the first major league organization to loan or sell players to a team outside of the United States when they “lend” two African-American minor league players, infielder John Britton and pitcher Jimmy Newberry, to the Hankyu Braves of the Japanese Pacific League. Abe Saperstein, owner and coach of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, negotiated this special example in lend-lease for both sides.


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Sources:

Baseball Reference April 28

SABR Games Project

National Pastime April 28

Hall of Fame

Retro Sheet