A History of the 16 Players Behind The Integration of Baseball
On April 15, 2026, Major League Baseball (MLB) celebrated Jackie Robinson Day for the 22nd year, with the first annual celebration held in 2004.
Jackie Robinson Day honors the exact day Robinson integrated the MLB, playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
But before the expansion era of baseball from April 15, 1947, to July 21, 1959, all 16 teams in the league were integrated, and both leagues in MLB, the American League and the National League.
Here are the players who integrated the 15 teams after Robinson broke the color barrier with the Dodgers.
Larry Doby, Indians (July 5, 1947)
11 weeks after Robinson played for the Dodgers, Larry Doby would be the first Black player to play for the Indians, now known as the Cleveland Guardians.
Doby became the first Black player to play in the American League as the Dodgers were in the National League.
Doby went on to help the Indians win the World Series in 1948, become a seven-time All-Star and in 1998, be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Hank Thompson, Browns (July 17, 1947)
Thompson would join the St. Louis Browns, now known as the Baltimore Orioles, three months after Robinson broke the color barrier. Thompson would only play 27 games for the Browns.
Hank Thompson and Monte Irvin, Giants (July 8, 1949)
Two years after playing for the Browns, Thompson became the first Black player to play in both the American and National Leagues when he joined the New York Giants, where he spent the final eight seasons of his baseball career, winning the 1954 World Series with the Giants.
The same day Thompson integrated the Giants, Monte Irvin made his debut, also integrating the team. Irvin was part of that 1954 World Series team and would go on to an eight- year career in the Majors after playing 10 seasons in the Negro Leagues. Irvin was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.
Sam Jethroe, Braves (April 18, 1950)
Jethroe integrated the Boston Braves, now Atlanta Braves, after eight years in the Negro Leagues. Jethroe won rookie of the year in his first season with the Braves, becoming the oldest player to ever win rookie of the year at age 34.
Minnie Miñoso, White Sox (May 1, 1951)
Miñoso was the first dark-skinned Latin to play in the Majors. By integrating the White Sox, Miñoso paved the way for Latin players. While creating a path, he played 28 seasons of professional baseball, including one game in 1980 at the age of 54. Miñoso would be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022 posthumously, as he passed away in 2015.
Bob Trice, Athletics (Sept. 13, 1953)
Trice would not have a long career in the Majors, playing only 26 games over three years. But Trice would make history for the Philadelphia Athletics, now currently moving to Las Vegas in 2028.
Ernie Banks, Cubs (Sept. 17, 1953)
Just four days after Trice, Ernie Banks would integrate the Chicago Cubs. Banks, nicknamed “Mr. Cub,” would go on to play 19 years for the Cubs, winning two MVPs, a Gold Glove and becoming a 14-time All-Star.
Tom Alston, Cardinals (April 13, 1954)
Alston played only 4 seasons for the Cardinals, appearing in 91 games.
Curt Roberts, Pirates (April 13, 1954)
Roberts appeared in only three seasons in the MLB, playing 134 games in his first season, but only 37 in his last two years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chuck Harmon and Nino Escalera, Reds (April 17, 1954)
Harmon and Escalera made their debut for the Cincinnati Reds as pinch hitters. Neither one’s career was significant: Escalera played only one season, and Harmon played four, but didn’t see much playing time after his first two seasons.
Carlos Paula, Senators (Sept. 6, 1954)
Paula debuted in 1954 before playing his first full season in 1955. Paula only played three full seasons for the Senators, now the Minnesota Twins.
Elston Howard, Yankees (April 14, 1955)
Howard played for the New York Yankees for 13 years during his 14-year MLB career.
Howard went on to win four World Series and an MVP, becoming the first black player to win the award in the American League. Howard was also a 12-time All-Star.
John Kennedy, Phillies (April 22, 1957)
Kennedy only played in five games in his MLB career, debuting as a pinch runner for the Philadelphia Phillies franchise. Kennedy only received two chances to bat during his five games.
Ozzie Virgil, Tigers (June 6, 1958)
Virgil played nine seasons in the majors for five teams. One of those teams included the Tigers, with which Virgil was only associated for two seasons.
Pumpsie Green, Red Sox (July 21, 1959)
12 years after Robinson broke the color barrier, Green became the first player of color to play for the Boston Red Sox. Green did not get much playing time in his five seasons in the league.
The Red Sox became the final of the 16 teams to integrate.
DJ Harding is a reporter for HUNewsService.com
