Moses Fleetwood Walker1856-1924
The first African-American major leaguer was not Jackie Robinson but was Moses Walker.
He was a catcher, back in the days where they used no equipment, not even gloves.
Playing for the Toronto Blue Stockings of the American Association, his MLB debut was May 1, 1884 against the Louisville Eclipse. (Don't you love the names of those old teams?)
Walker's teammate and star pitcher, Tony Mullane, stated Walker "was the best catcher I ever worked with, but I disliked a Negro and whenever I had to pitch to him I used to pitch anything I wanted without looking at his signals."
Unfortunately he suffered a season-ending injury in July and never made it back to the majors. He played 42 games and batted .261.
Shortly thereafter baseball entered into its "Gentleman's Agreement" to exclude blacks, which lasted until 1947.
I'm sure Jackie Robinson was a brave and swell guy, but he was a Dogger, so fuck him.
6 comments:
Isn't there a story about Moses Walker being attacked by a gang one day and, after kicking their asses, had to go to court for assuault? He was, if I remember, acquitted, mostly due to his reputation as a stand-up guy and the support of his neighbors.
(Jackie Robinson not only was a Dogger he went to freakin' UCLA.)
And he retired rather than accept a trade to the Giants. So triple fuck him.
I am lovin' the edumacation I be gettin'....
Yeah, I've got no love for Jackie either. Mostly it is the dogger thing, but I feel like its an age thing too. If I was a little older I might feel differently.
Yeah, and you're a racist.
Apparently Walker was better known as "Fleet" Walker and the story Mark mentioned was true. Another cool factoid about the man is that he went to The University of Michigan Law School. That would be quite a story in itself, I'm sure.
Am not. I just talk funny.
Yes you be.
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