May 6, 1945, baseball pioneer, Jackie Robinson, played his first game with the Kansas City Monarchs. He went 1-4 with an RBI double, scored a run and stole a base in the Monarchs 6-2 win over the Chicago American Giants! Two years later, Robinson would break Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers….
On April 16, 1945, the Boston Red Sox give tryouts to three African-American players: Sam Jethroe, Jackie Robinson, and Marvin Williams. The three players work out at Fenway Park, but none are signed to contracts. Later in the season, Robinson will sign a minor league contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1944 – The West takes the 1944 East-West Game, 7 – 4, behind the Radcliffe brothers. Ted Radcliffe socks a two-run homer while Alec Radcliffe drives in two as well and flashes a good glove; the brothers combine for five hits.
Buck Leonard crosses home at Ruppert Stadium in Newark, August 1, 1943 @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links
On January 1, 1943, Negro Leagues home run king Josh Gibson suffers a nervous breakdown and is admitted to a hospital for treatment and rest. After his release, he will report to training camp in Hot Springs, Arizona.
Baseball is the only game you can watch on the radio. Join the community today and listen to hundreds of broadcasts from baseball’s golden age! Sign Up or learn more October 2, 1942, Satchel’ Paige’s feat of tossing 5 1-3 innings of the hitless ball while pitching the Kansas City Monarchs to victory over…
On July 21, 1942, in one of the most famous moments in the history of the Negro leagues, Satchel Paige strikes out Josh Gibson on three pitches with the bases loaded, fulfilling a prediction he had made years earlier.
July 19, 1937 at Griffith Stadium Negro League star Cool Papa Bell Homestead Grays slides into third base! Described as regal, noble, gentle, and soft-spoken, Bell was considered one of the fastest players in baseball history.
June 3, 1937, Josh Gibson is credited with a drive that hits just two feet below the rim of Yankee Stadium, about 580 feet from home plate. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Other Resources & Links Baseball-Reference Box Score
On March 20, 1937, the Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues acquire future Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Judy Johnson for $2,500 in cash and a pair of journeymen players. The trade is considered the largest transaction in the history of the Negro Leagues. The Baseball’s Hall of Fame will induct both…