People, Locations, Episodes

The Chicago White Sox Baseball Team Integrates

On this date in 1951, Orestes (“Minnie”) Minoso became the first Black Chicago White Sox player.

A veteran of the Negro Leagues’ New York Cubans and Bill Veeck’s Cleveland Indians, Minoso had a sensational rookie year, batting .326 with 173 hits, while leading the league in triples and stolen bases. In a questionable and possibly racist decision, sportswriters gave the Rookie of the Year Award to the Yankees’ statistically inferior Gil McDougal.

Dave Winfield, Baseball Player, Executive, and Author born

Dave Winfield, an African American athlete and an administrator and corporate executive, was born on this date in 1951.

Racial Incident In A College Football Game Occurs

On this date in 1951, a racial incident of, during the college football game between Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) and Drake University.

During the first quarter of the game, Drake’s Johnny Bright, a black running back and the nation’s leading rusher, was knocked out of the game with a broken jaw by Oklahoma A&Ms defensive tackle Wilbanks Smith, who was white. With Bright gone, A&M erased an early deficit and won the game over previously unbeaten Drake.

Maurice Lucas, Basketball Player born

*Maurice Lucas was born on this date in 1952. He was an African American professional basketball player and coach.

From Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lucas attended the Schenley High School and played college basketball at Marquette University for two years, leading it to the NCAA championship game in 1974. Although Marquette did not win the title, Lucas played the full 40 minutes of the game, leading his team with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Peter Westbrook, Sabre Fencer born

Peter Westbrook was born on this date in 1952. He is an African American Sabre Fencer, teacher, and administrator.

Westbrook grew up in the Hayes Homes housing project, in Newark, New Jersey. His father was African American, his mother Japanese. His mother Mariko was the daughter of a Japanese bureaucrat, had defied her father by marrying a black GI; leaving her country forever. As a child, his fathers beat his mother often until one day his father simply left.

Glenn Burke, Baseball Player born

*Glenn Burke was born on this date in 1952. He was a Black, gay professional baseball player. Glenn Lawrence Burke was born in Oakland, California. He was a high school basketball star, leading the Berkeley High School, California, Yellow Jackets to an undefeated season and the 1970 Northern California championships. He was voted onto the […]

Baseball’s Philadelphia Athletics Integrate

On this date in 1953, Former Homestead Grays pitcher Bob Trice integrated the (then) Philadelphia Athletics as a pitcher.

He appeared in three games that year and in 19 the next, but he pitched so poorly that he asked to be sent back to the minor leagues to regain his form. His request was granted, but Trice would never become the pitcher the As had hoped.

He pitched four more poor games for them in 1956, and never appeared in the majors again.

The Chicago Cubs Baseball Team Integrates

*The Chicago Cubs baseball team integrated for the first time on this date in 1953. Former Kansas City Monarchs Gene Baker and Ernie Banks debuted together as the Cubs’ double-play combination that day.

A shortstop stuck playing second base, Baker led N. L. second basemen in errors his first three seasons. In 1961 he was named manager of the Batavia, N. Y., minor league team, becoming the first black manager in organized baseball.

The Harlem Magicians Basketball Team, a story

*The Harlem Magicians, a black basketball team, was a basketball organization celebrated on this date in 1953. Lon Varnell founded them through his Varnell Enterprises. They were similar in fashion and activities to the exhibition basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters. The full name of the barnstorming basketball team was the Fabulous Harlem Magicians, with Marques […]

Cheryl White, Horse Trainer and Jockey born

*Cheryl White was born on this date in 1953. She was a Black horse jockey and trainer.  Born in Cleveland, Ohio, White grew up around the horse industry. Her mother, Doris, owned horses, and her father, Raymond, was a successful owner and trainer. As a jockey, White won five early races aboard horses owned by […]

Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates Integrate

*Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates featured their first African American player on this date in 1954. Curt Roberts, formerly of the Kansas City Monarchs, integrated the Buc’s as their opening day second baseman that year. The Pirates’ 72-year-old general manager, Branch Rickey, had signed the infielder.

Roberts was a sensational defensive player, but lasted only one full year in the majors, batting .223 overall.

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Marvin Hagler, Boxer born

*Marvelous Marvin Hagler was born on this date in 1954. He was a Black professional boxer and film actor.   Born Marvin Nathaniel Hagler, he spent his early years in the Central Ward of Newark, New Jersey. Following the 1967 Newark Riots, his family moved to Brockton, Massachusetts. The riots claimed 26 lives and $11 […]

Larry Fitzgerald Sr., Journalist born

*Larry Fitzgerald Sr. was born on this date in 1954. He is a Black broadcast journalist who focuses on sports and the community.  Fitzgerald was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, to Robert and Sally Fitzgerald. His parents came north during the Great Migration from Natchez, Mississippi. He graduated from Fenger High School, where he […]

Walter Payton, Football Player born

*On this date in 1954, Walter Jerry Payton was born. He was one of the best running backs ever to play professional football in America.

Warmly known as “Sweetness,” Payton was from Columbia, Mississippi. He graduated from and played college ball at Jackson State. Payton was drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by Chicago Bears in 1975 and played with them his entire career, 13 seasons (190 games) from 1975 through 1987. At 5’10”, 200 pounds, he quickly established himself as super star. Payton holds the single-game rushing record of 275 yards.

Flo Hyman, Volleyball Player born

This date marks the birth of Flo Hyman in 1954. She was an African American athlete specializing in volleyball.

Flo Hyman was born in Inglewood, CA and graduated from Morningside High School. She enrolled at the University of Houston working on a degree in mathematics and physical education. It was here that she became a three-time all-American in volleyball, culminating as America’s top athlete in 1976. At six feet five inches, Hyman left school in 1978 to train for world competition in Colorado.