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Moses "Fleetwood" Walker becomes first African-American player in Major League Baseball
In 1884 Toledo joined the American Association, which was a Major League at that time in competition with the National League. Walker made his Major League debut on May 1 against the Louisville Eclipse. In his debut, he went hitless and had four errors. In forty two games, Walker had a batting average of .263. His brother, Welday Walker, later joined him on the team and played 6 games. In 1884, he batted .264, which was well above the league average. -
John "Doc" Taylor becomes first African American o win Olympic Gold
The exact date is not known but in 1908 John "Doc" Taylor became the first African American to win a gold medal in the Olympic games. The games took place in London with 22 nations involved. John Taylor won a gold medal as a member of the Medley Relay Team, he ran the 400 meter leg. He was nicknamed "Doc" because he recieved a degree in Veternary Medicine just a month before the Olympic games. He died later that year with typhoid pneumonia on December 2. -
Jack Johnson becomes first black World Heavyweight CHampion
Jack Johnson vs. Tommy Burns Jack Johnson became the first African American World Heavyweight Champion in boxing. He won the tilte on December 26, 1908 after defeating Tommy Burns. The fight took place in Sydney Australia and ended by decsion in the 14th round. -
Fritz Pollard became first African American coach/player in the NFL
The exact date is not known but Fritz Pollard became the first African American coach of the National Football league (NFL). He became the co-head coach of the Akron Pros which was also the team he played on at the time a running back. He was said to coach up to 3 team at a time and was the first black player in the NFL along with Bobby Marshall. -
Jackie Robinson breaks "Color Barrier"
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball (MLB) player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. As the first black man to play in the major leagues since the 1880s, he was instrumental in bringing an end to racial segregation in professional baseball, which had relegated black players to the Negro leagues for six decades. He made his profesional debut April 15, 1947 for the Brooklyn Dodgers. -
Earl Lloyd becomes first black player in the NBA
On October 31, 1950, 21-year-old Earl Lloyd becomes the first African American to play in an NBA game when he takes the court in the season opener for the Washington Capitols. After seven games with the Capitols, Lloyd was drafted into the military and sent to Korea for two years. When he returned to the United States, the Capitols had gone out of business, and so he went to play for the Syracuse Nationals who later became the Philadelphia 76ers. He wrapped up his nine-season career in Detroit. -
Althea Gibson became first African American to win Wimbledon
On this day in 1957, Althea Gibson defeats Darlene Hard 6-3, 6-2 to become the first black player ever to win Wimbledon. Gibson cruised through the opening rounds of the 1957 Wimbledon without losing a set. The final was similar, as Gibson’s powerful ground strokes flustered Hard in every game. Althea Gibson won both the Wimbledon and the U.S. Open titles in 1957 and 1958, and was named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. -
WIllie O'Ree break becomes first African American Hockey Player
On January 18, 1958, playing for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens, he became the first black person to play in the NHL. Willie O'Ree only played 2 games with the Boston Bruins in the 1958 season, but returned to play 41 games with the Bruins in 1961. His accomplishment is even more significant for the fact that Willie O'Ree was legally blind in his right eye after taking a puck to the face. -
Michael Jordan enters the NBA
Michael Jordan Debut GameOn this day Michael Jordan who is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time made his NBA debut with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan goes on to win the Rookie of the Year award for the 84-85 season. By the time he retired he led the Bulls to 6 NBA Finals and won them all. -
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Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan- Tribute Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player to ever live. During his NBA career Michael Jordan won 6 championship which both came by the way of a 3-peat. He has 6 NBA Finals MVP awards, 14 All-star game selections, 2 Olympic gold medals, 2 dunk championships and many other awards. He is also an entrepreneur with Jordan Brand being one of the largest names in sporting goods. During his time in the NBA he changed the game in numerous ways and he is a hall of famer! -
Georgre Branham becomes first African American to win PBA Chamionship
Tribute to George Branham III One this date, George Branham, was the first African-American to win a Professional Bowlers Association, (PBA) championship. He defeated Mark Roth from Detroit in Glendale Heights, Illinois. He had bowled since the age of six and joined the PBA at age 24. In 17 years as a professional bowler, Branham won five major titles, including the sport's highest honor, the Tournament of Champions. -
Tiger Woods become first African American to win the Masters Golf Tournament
Tiger Woods 1st Masters Tiger Woods became the first African American to win the Masters Golf Tournament and he did it at age 21. We won by a wide margin of 12 strokes. Tiger Woods was a rookie when he stepped on Augusta National course where he played in his first major tournament. Since his first Masters win Tiger Woods has racked up many first place finishes in major tournaments and broke alot of records along the way.
