May 26, 1953, Six years after Jackie Robinson makes his major league debut, the Cardinals sign their first black player when Fresno State College slugger Len Tucker agrees to a $3,000 professional contract. The 23 year-old speedy outfielder plays exceptionally well in the minors for Peoria, Saskatoon, and Modesto, but never gets the called up to St. Louis.

Many Ballclubs had a quota as to how many blacks they would allow on a team or an organization. Even though the black players performed better they still were not called to the major leagues. Many players such as Len Tucker never got a fair shot at becomng a majore league player.