Moses Fleetwood Walker

PT’s Black History Month Moment

I wanted to offer up a brief Quick Hitter post as my contribution to February’s Black History Month. Thankfully, my last trip to downtown Toledo, Ohio, provided me with some material. I was wandering downtown Toledo when I came across this mural…

If you ask most people, they should be able to tell you that Jackie Robinson was the first black man in major league baseball in 1947. However, if you ask a baseball fan from Toledo, Ohio, they will proudly tell you that Moses Fleetwood Walker was the first black man to play in major league baseball. Moses Fleetwood Walker played for the Toledo Blue Stockings in the American Association League (precursor to the American League) in 1884. Yes, this was over 50 years prior to Jackie Robinson.

Why not Moses?

So, the question lingers… why does Jackie Robinson get all the credit? Why not Moses? Well, its has nothing to do with his credentials. His professional baseball days were legit. He was the catcher (bare handed) under written contract for the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884. The Stockings played at baseball’s highest level in the American Association League which later became the American League.

Bottom line…this experiment in integration and common decency did not hold. Sadly, the country was not ready for integration, nor decency, yet. He played the 1884 season, facing all the bigotry and hatred that Jackie had to endure. But, then after that year, it was over. The color barrier was shored up once again. No black man played in major league baseball for over 50 years until Jackie in 1947.

Wrap It Up

So, if you want to give Moses his proper due when referring to the great Jackie Robinson, you should say…”Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play in the “modern era” of Major League Baseball.” Baseball defines the “modern era” as starting in 1900. At that point, the league stabilized its structure, defined rules, and started the World Series soon thereafter. Major League Baseball does not really embrace the various versions of baseball prior to 1900. But, as my minor contribution to Black History Month, I want to salute the bravery of Moses Fleetwood Walker.

Have a wonderful day. PT.

I hope you have enjoyed this Quick Hitter, “Moses Fleetwood Walker,” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

Here was another on topic post from Goosebuster… https://travelingwithpt.com/historic-rickwood-field/

If you want the deep dive on Moses… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Fleetwood_Walker

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