Almost 70 years before Jackie Robinson is credited with breaking the color barrier in baseball, there was Moses Walker. Walker played for the University of Michigan in 1882 and was signed by the minor league Toledo Blue Stockings the following year. The team joined the newly formed American Association in 1984, a professional league that would become the modern day American League. On opening day, May 1, 1884, catcher Moses Walker took to the field and became the first player of African descent in major league baseball. Walker only played one season. He was subject to death threats and abuse, many of which were hurled by his own team mates. In 1889, both leagues officially banned blacks from playing baseball. Moses Walker was the True First in baseball, and his story is one of courage, resilience and tragedy.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch with True First. Hear about release dates, upcoming episodes and news from the set as production continues on this ground-breaking docudrama.
Moses Fleetwood Walker
Almost 70 years before Jackie Robinson is credited with breaking the color barrier in baseball, there was Moses Walker. Walker played for the University of Michigan in 1882 and was signed by the minor league Toledo Blue Stockings the following year. The team joined the newly formed American Association in 1984, a professional league that would become the modern day American League. On opening day, May 1, 1884, catcher Moses Walker took to the field and became the first player of African descent in major league baseball. Walker only played one season. He was subject to death threats and abuse, many of which were hurled by his own team mates. In 1889, both leagues officially banned blacks from playing baseball. Moses Walker was the True First in baseball, and his story is one of courage, resilience and tragedy.
Info
Related Episodes
Disco King Mario
READ MORE
Season OneFredrick McKinley Jones
READ MORE
Season OneSister Rosetta Tharpe
READ MORE
Season OneShirley Chisholm
READ MORE
Season OneStage Coach Mary Fields
READ MORE
Season OneSimone Manuel
READ MORE
Season OneBass Reeves
READ MORE
Season OneNo Comments