19th-century America regularly enforced segregation, especially after the American Civil War. This also included baseball, the rapidly growing sport dubbed “America’s Pastime.” Black teams formed before the American Civil War, playing white, integrated, or other black teams. But in 1867, racism inevitably raised its ugly head. One all-Black team, the Philadelphia Pythians, applied for entry to baseball’s first official league- the National Association of Baseball Players (NABBP). The Association rejected the application banning “clubs with black players.” The unwritten rule for Black players came in the 1887 “gentleman’s agreement” between club owners banning Black players. This unofficial agreement would stand until 1947.
And the owners (and players) followed this rule. In this 1887 club photo, Frank Grant posed with his team. After the ruling, no teammates would participate. Fortunately, Grant was picked up by the Black teams. Many white teams refused to take the field if the opposing team had even one black player.
In reaction, Black players formed their teams. Despite such blatant intolerance, the Black teams toured the United States, playing exhibition games against white teams.
How Did the Negro Leagues Form Nationally?
Around 1900, baseball’s popularity skyrocketed, particularly with the American League’s founding. With two leagues in contention, interest grew, and popularity boomed with the first World Series (1903). Despite baseball’s segregated status, that interest also showed in African American communities, setting the stage for their own professional league. Rube Foster, ex-player turned Chicago American Giants team owner, in 1920 formed the Negro National League with Black community and team owners.
For this, Foster garnered the nickname “Father of Black Baseball.” Starting in Kansas City, Missouri, he wrote the rules and created the schedules for the eight initial league teams. Other notables who assisted Foster include Charles Comiskey, C.I. Taylor, and J.L. Wilkinson.
Why Were the 1920s to 1940s Considered the Golden Age?
The Eastern Colored League formed in 1923 and joined the NNL to create a second professional league. They played their own World Series in 1923. More would follow. With more teams and strong organization, very talented Black players came to the fore. The Golden Age was on.
Attendance at games grew fast, especially at interleague games. The annual East-West All-Star Game of 1933 attracted nearly 20,000 spectators, almost matching MLB (Major League Baseball) games. The 1942 game drew 51,000 attendees. Teams traveled the U.S., called “barnstorming,” playing exhibition games to large crowds. Economically, the Golden Age proved profitable.
If successful, teams offered high salaries for star players, like Satchel Paige, who earned $80 monthly. One team, the Homestead Grays, earned $200,000 during the top years. In all, seven leagues formed during the Golden Age’s two decades. Some fizzled shortly, but most lasted fifteen-plus years.
Which Famous Negro League Players Broke the Color Barrier?
Baseball’s segregation endured late into the 1940s. But that “unofficial rule” started to die in the 1940s. Many saw how well star Black players performed, the enthusiastic African American audiences, and a slight cracking in racial attitudes. Black soldiers’ participation in World War II widened that split. 1944 saw MLB’s new commissioner, Happy Chandler, openly supporting integration.
Starting in 1945, the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson to their minor league. 1947 saw the Dodgers give Jackie a major league contract, officially breaking that color barrier. Next came Larry Doby, who signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1947.
Satchel Paige broke two barriers on his MLB debut. Signed in 1948 with the Cleveland Indians, he emerged as the oldest MLB debut player at age forty-two. White ball players like future Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg advocated for integration. He supported Jackie Robinson, offering advice and open support.
What Spelled the End for the Negro Leagues?
The slow end for the Negro Leagues oddly resulted from integration. Prominent Black ball players left for lucrative MLB offers, usually for much higher salaries. A typical Negro League player earned up to $7,000 annually. An MLB contract could be worth up to $30,000 or life-changing money.
As the 1950s wore on, the Negro Leagues decline went terminal. MLB’s lure grew too much, attracting the lion’s share of talented players. Attendance dropped despite most ballparks still having “separate but equal” facilities. Two of three Negro Leagues folded by 1958. The Negro Leagues showed baseball is an American sport, not something to be segregated. The legacy the Leagues left behind is Black players could play, only needing an opportunity.
