Satchel Paige

Joe Glasgow is a former senior staff writer at Fanstop.com, and is the author of the book Play Ball! Growing Up With Baseball https://amzn.to/2o4M62h

Sam "The Jet" Jethroe

Sam “The Jet” Jethroe was one of the fastest human beings he ever saw according to Don Newcombe. Jethroe began his career in the Negro Leagues with the Cincinnati/Cleveland Buckeyes where he hit .340, and won a pair of batting titles.

He was signed by the Boston Braves, and in 1950 became the first black player for the Braves. He would win Rookie of the Year honors for that season at age 33. He hit 18 home runs with 58 RBI, and stole 35 bases to lead the league.

In his career he would hit .261/.337/.418 with 49 home runs and 98 RBI. He won the NL stolen base title in 1950-51. His defense was his Achilles heel, and spent the 1953 season at Toledo before being traded to the Pirates. The Pirates would send him to Toronto, where he would spend five more seasons in minor league baseball before his career came to an end at age 41. 

Minnie Minoso Debuts With White Sox

May 1, 1951, Minnie Minoso becomes the first black player for the Chicago White Sox. In his first at-bat in the Windy City, he hits a home run off the Yankees Vic Raschi. Minoso would hit .326, lead the league in triples and stolen bases. He finishes second in the Rookie of the Year voting. He also played the Negro League, Cuban League, and Mexican League.

Forbes Field Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was home of the Pittsburgh Pirates from June 30, 1909 until the last game on June 28, 1970. It also served as the home of the Pitt Panthers from 1909-1924, Pittsburgh Steelers 1933-1963, Homestead Grays of the Negro League 1922-1939.