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After the Civil War, segregation by race was a way
of life in American society and a way of life in baseball.
White players had the opportunity to compete in Major
League Baseball, but that chance was not offered to
thousands of very talented African-American players.
These men faced discrimination and hardships in order
to play the game they loved.
Cartoon from The Sporting
News, January 26, 1949, in response to racist reaction
to Jackie Robinson and teammate Roy Campanella appearing
in exhibition games in the South.
Photograph of the 1939
Homestead Grays in front of their team bus.
Photograph of Keokuk,
Iowa, baseball club featuring Bud Fowler, 1885.
Article titled "Negro
Ball Fights Bravely for Life Against Big Odds,"
published in The Sporting News, August 7, 1957. The
article chronicles the rapidly approaching demise of
the Negro American League.
Return to Civil Rights:
Before You Could Say "Jackie Robinson"
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Negro
Leagues