On August 26, 1947, At Ebbets Field 27 year-old right-hander Dan Bankhead becomes the first black pitcher in major league history. The former Negro leagues star makes his first appearance with the Brooklyn Dodgers, who previously debuted Jackie Robinson on April 15.  Bankhead becomes the first National League pitcher to homer in his first at-bat, but gives up eight runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings in a 16 – 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The first batter Bankhead faced was Jim Russell and he doubled in a run, the next 3 batters produced a Sacrifice fly, and run scoring single and double before he recorded his first out.

Future Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner went 5-5 for the Buc’s and Billy Cox took Bankhead deep for his 13th homerun. Carl Furillo goes 3-4 for the Dodgers.