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John Irvin Kennedy (October 12, 1926 – April 27, 1998) was an American professional baseball shortstop.Kennedy was the first African-American player to be signed by and play for the Philadelphia Phillies, the last National League baseball team to support anti-Black segregation.
* Major League Baseball recognizes Curt Roberts as the Pirates' first Black player; however, Carlos Bernier of Puerto Rico, also a Black man, debuted on April 22, 1953. [5] ‡ Thompson and Irvin broke in with the Giants during the same game on July 8, 1949. Thompson was the starting third baseman, and Irvin pinch hit in the eighth. [1]
By the 1950s, enough black talent had integrated into the formerly "white" leagues (both major and minor) that the Negro leagues themselves had become a minor league circuit. Below is a list of 52 players who played for major Negro league teams up to 1950 and eventually saw playing time for a Major League team.
Veeck did not believe Landis would dare say black players were unwelcome while blacks were fighting in World War II. However, when Veeck arrived in Philadelphia, he was surprised to discover that the National League had taken over the Phillies and was seeking a new owner (the Phillies were ultimately sold to lumber baron William D. Cox).
As a minor-leaguer, White was the second black American to play for a Carolina League team, and was the only black player on his team. Percy Miller Jr. broke the color barrier for that league in 1951. [6] White had an excellent year, with a .298 batting average, 20 home runs, 99 runs scored, 84 runs batted in (RBI), and 21 stolen bases. [7]
First African American to hold the year-end #1 rank in tennis: Serena Williams; First African American to be named year-end world champion by the International Tennis Federation: Serena Williams; First African-American Arena Football League head coach to win ArenaBowl: Darren Arbet (San Jose SaberCats), ArenaBowl XVI
The Phillies also honor two additional players with the letter "P" in the manner of a retired number: Alexander played before numbers were used in the major leagues; and Klein wore a variety of numbers in his Phillies career. [7] Forty Phillies players have been elected to the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame.
The Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame was created in 1978 as an exhibit display located in the 200 Level of Veterans Stadium.Originally, the Phillies honored notable figures from their franchise history, along with notable members of the former Philadelphia Athletics, which played in Philadelphia from 1901 to the time of their relocation in 1954.