Jackie Robinson, the first African-American professional baseball player?

The idea that Jackie Robinson was the very first African-American to play professional baseball in the United States is one that is widely known and never questioned. It is taught in schools across America during Black History Month. As an avid baseball fan, however, I have learned that what is common knowledge about the early years of baseball, is often mistaught. Yes, Jackie Robinson was the very first of a wave of Black men that broke the "color barrier" in America's game. I have no doubts about how tough Mr. Robinson had it during the early 1940s. He endured constant taunts, put downs and harassment. Jackie Robinson also endured this with the utmost amount of professionalism and tactfulness that any man has ever shown. He is a hero and a fine American for what he did for his race, our country and for the entire game of baseball.

Now, for the rest of the story.......Jackie Robinson was not the first African-American to play professional baseball in America. He was actually somewhere between 3rd and 5th, depending on what source you use. Most of the players that came before him played just a few games or just a few innings. The "real" first Black baseball player was Moses Fleetwood Walker. Walker played 42 games in 1884 with the Toledo Blue Stockings of the American Association. Walker batted .263 and played catcher.

Moses Fleetwood Walker was no super-star, he wasn't even a star. He was, however, the first person of African-Amercian descent to play professional baseball in the United States. Walker gets no credit for what he accomplished and I feel it is time that he did. It is also important that this fact be shared amongst fans and non-fans alike so that this tidbit of information doesn't get lost forever.