Timeline
- 1950
- Arthur Dorrington becomes the first black to play in organized hockey
November 15, 1950 - Arthur Dorrington signed with the Atlantic City Seagulls of the Eastern Amateur League.
- 1951
- Monte Irvin becomes the first black RBI champion of the National League
Monte Irvin of the New York Giants was the first black runs-batted-in champion of the National League.
- 1952
- Harlem Globetrotters make complete playing trips around the world
In 1952, the Harlem Globetrotters became the first basketball club to make complete playing trips around the world. They completed the task again in the winter of 1960-61.
- Jackie Robinson becomes first black executive of a major network
February 4, 1952 - Jackie Robinson was named Director of Communication for NBC. He signed a two-year contract in his new position with Radio Station WNBC and Television Station WNBT at a salary of approximately $20,000 a year. Jackie thus became the first negro executive of a major network. Said Jackie about his new job: "It also gives us a chance to combat communist propaganda by showing there are plenty of opportunities for negroes in this country.
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- Joe Black becomes the first black pitcher to win a World Series game
October 1, 1952 - A member of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the 1952 Rookie of the Year, Joe Black became the first black pitcher to win a World Series game. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 4-2.
- 1953
- Roy Campanella becomes first black cather to hit twenty or more HR in five consecutive seasons
Roy "Campy" Campanella became the first black cather to hit twenty or more homeruns in five consecutive seasons (22-31-33-22-41). He also had the most put-outs (807) and the most runs-batted-in (856). He was the first black to be name the Most Valuable Player three times ('51, '53, and '55).
- 1954
- Berton Groves becomes first black to enter Pikes Peak Hill
Berton Groves becomes the first black driver to enter the Pikes Peak Hill Climbn automobile race.
- 1955
- "Big Mo" Arledge becomes first black woman All-American basketball player
Missouri "Big Mo" Arledge of Philander Smith College in Arkansas was the first black woman All-American basketball player. The 5'10" player averaged 21 points per game.
- Elston Howard becomes the first black player for the Yankees
April 14, 1955 - Elston Gene Howard became the first black player for the New York Yankees. First an outfielder and later a catcher, he became the Yankees' first black coach (and the first in the American League) in 1969. In the 1958 World Series, he became the first black to win the babe Ruth Award. He was the first black honored as the Most Valuable Player in the American League.
- Samuel Jones becomes the first black to pitch a no-hitter
May 12, 1955 - Samuel "Toothpick Sam" Jones became the first black to pitch a no-hitter, and the first pitcher to have a no-hit game in forty years. He accomplished this feat in a gamew between the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates held in Chicago.
- 1956
- Don Newcomb is the first black recipient of the Cy Young Award
Don "Newk" Newcomb becomes the first black winner of the Cy Young Award with a season record of 27-7. In 1951, he was the first black pitcher to win twenty games in a major league.
- 1957
- Althea Gibson wins Wimbledon title
July 6, 1957 - In the 64th annual Wimbledon Women's Tennis Championship, Althea Gibson defeats Darlene Hard 6-3, 6-2. This was her first of two consecutive singles championships and, upon returning to the United States, she was given a ticker-tape parade in New York City and an official welcome at New York City Hall.
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- 1958
- Willie O'Ree becomes first black player in NHL
january 18, 1958 - Willie O'Ree, a left wing, became the first black player in National Hockey League history when he was called up by the Boston Bruins and appeared in a shutout victory over the Montreal Canadiens. He played in 45 games over parts of two seasons, scoring four goals.
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- Wilt Chamberlain turns pro, signs with Globetrotters
May 23, 1958 - Wilt Chamberlain, the all-America center from the University of Kansas, announced that he was giving up his senior year of eligibility to turn pro as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. He barnstormed with the Trotters for one year before joining the NBA with the Philadelphia Warriors.
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- 1959
- Pumpsie Green becomes first black player on the Boston Red Sox
June 21, 1959 - Infielder Pumpsie Green was the first black player on the Boston Red Sox, the last major league team to sign a black player.
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