On July 8, 1949, Monte Irvin and Hank Thompson, brought up from Jersey City three days earlier, become the first black players for the New York Giants. Irvin walks in a pinch-hitting appearance in the 8th for Clint Hartung, while Thompson goes hitless in a 4-3 loss to Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The game marks the first time in major league history that a black hitter faces a black pitcher.

Thompson, who was also the first black to play for the St. Louis Browns in 1947. Thompson broke into the majors 12 days after Larry Doby’s American League debut with the Indians in 1947.
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