Famous African American Baseball Players Who Had Taken The Sport To The Next Level
Be it basketball or soccer, African American players have always impressed sports lovers with their incredible talent. Baseball lovers too have often been enthralled by the stellar performances of African American players. Jackie Robinson, Barry Bonds, Frank Robinson, Hank Thompson and Willard Brown are a few notable Basketball players of African American descent who are noteworthy figures of Baseball’s rich history. Jackie Robinson’s incredible achievements in his 10-year-long career are spoken about in high regards even till date by sports lovers across the world. He had earned the ‘Rookie Of The Year’ and also secured a place in the ‘Basketball Hall Of Fame’ back in 1962 for his prowess at the sport. Hank Thompson had represented several teams, such as ‘Dallas Green Monarchs’, ‘Kansas City Monarchs’ and ‘New York Giants’. Among contemporary Baseball greats, pitcher CC Sabathia deserves a special mention for his contribution towards the sport. Sabathia has performed exceptionally well in most of the tournaments he has participated in. The ace pitcher has represented the teams ‘New York Yankees’ and ‘Cleveland Indians’. All these individuals have set examples for aspirants of the game to follow. We have compiled the names of a few notable African American Baseball players, who are favorites among lovers of the sport. A few facts and trivia related to these players might take you by surprise. It is high time we remind the world about the contributions of these unsung heroes.
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Birthdate: January 31, 1919
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cairo, Georgia, United States
Died: October 24, 1972
The first African-American to play in MLB in the modern era, Jackie Robinson helped herald the end of racial segregation in baseball. He broke the baseball color line and encouraged black players not to be confined to the Negro leagues alone. In 1962, he became a Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.
2
Deion Sanders(Former American Football Player, Coach and Only Athlete to Play in Both 'Super Bowl' and 'World Series')
Birthdate: August 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Fort Myers, Florida, United States
American football player Deion Sanders is considered one of the strongest pass defenders of the game. He was an electrifying athlete and played in the National Football League for 14 seasons. He played for teams like Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. He is now a coach and a sports analyst. He’s also a rapper.
3
Derek Jeter(American Former Professional Baseball Shortstop and Executive)
Birthdate: June 26, 1974
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pequannock Township, New Jersey, United States
Derek Jeter is an American former baseball player whose popularity had made him one of the most marketed sportsmen of his generation during his playing career. Since 2017, he has been playing a key role as part owner and the chief executive officer of the Miami Marlins. Also a well-known philanthropist, Jeter created a charitable organization called Turn 2 Foundation.
4
Hank Aaron(One of the Greatest Baseball Players in History)
Birthdate: February 5, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Died: January 22, 2021
Baseball player Hank Aaron, also known as Hammer or Hammerin' Hank, is remembered for his stint with the MLB teams Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. He also competed as part of the Negro League team Indianapolis Clowns. He was named to The Sporting News 100 Greatest Baseball Players.
5
Barry Bonds(One of the Greatest Baseball Players of All Time)
Birthdate: July 24, 1964
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Riverside, California, United States
Former baseball player Barry Bonds is known for his stints with the MLB teams Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. The seven-time NL MVP-winning and eight-time Gold Glove-winning player once faced trial for use of anabolic steroids. He is a 14-time All Star, he is also a cycling lover.
6
Willie Mays(One of the Best All-Around Players in the History of Baseball)
Birthdate: May 6, 1931
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Westfield, Alabama, United States
Willie Mays is considered one of the all-time greats of baseball. His breathtaking catch of Vic Wertz’s fly ball is etched as a great movement in the history of the sport. Associated with New York / San Francisco Giants for about two decades, the former center fielder with record Major League Football putouts, features in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
7
Sammy Sosa
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: November 12, 1968
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
8
Aaron Judge(American Professional Baseball Player Who Plays as a Outfielder)
Birthdate: April 26, 1992
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Linden, California, United States
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge became the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year. In 2017, he made a single-season franchise home record with the Yankees. He became the first MLB rookie to win the Home Run Derby. His charity All Rise Foundation focuses on helping children become responsible citizens.
9
Bo Jackson(Former Baseball & Football Player, the Only Professional Athlete in History to be Named an 'All-Star' in Both)
Birthdate: November 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bessemer, Alabama, United States
Former professional baseball and football player Bo Jackson has the distinction of being the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both the sports. Considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, he pursued his other interests following his retirement from sports in the 1990s. He has acted in a few TV shows, playing minor characters.
Birthdate: July 7, 1906
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Died: June 8, 1982
Legendary baseball pitcher Satchel Paige was part of the MLB and the Negro League Baseball. The National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee began his career playing for the Chattanooga Black Lookouts and later played for teams such as the Cleveland Indians. He was the American League’s first black pitcher.
11
Jameis Winston
(American Football Player)
Birthdate: January 6, 1994
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bessemer, Alabama, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
12
Frank Thomas
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: May 27, 1968
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Columbus, Georgia, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
13
Mookie Betts
(Baseball Player)
Birthdate: October 7, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Birthdate: September 18, 1954
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: February 22, 2007
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
15
JaVale McGee
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: January 19, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Flint, Michigan, USA
Height: 7'0" (213 cm)
16
Ozzie Smith
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: December 26, 1954
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
17
Dusty Baker
(Baseball manager)
Birthdate: June 15, 1949
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Riverside, California, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
18
CC Sabathia
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: July 21, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vallejo, California, U.S.
19
Roy Campanella
(Baseball player - Catcher)
Birthdate: November 19, 1921
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: June 26, 1993
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
20
Darryl Strawberry
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: March 12, 1962
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
21
Barry Larkin
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: April 28, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
Birthdate: October 26, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
23
Prince Fielder
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: May 9, 1984
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ontario, California
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
24
Tim Raines
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: September 16, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sanford, Florida, United States
25
Willie McCovey
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: January 10, 1938
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mobile
Died: October 31, 2018
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
26
Matt Kemp
(Baseball Player)
Birthdate: September 23, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Midwest City, Oklahoma, USA
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
27
Dave Roberts
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: May 31, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
28
Kevin Johnson
(Politician)
Birthdate: March 4, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sacramento, California, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
29
Ken Griffey Sr.
(Baseball player, Coach)
Birthdate: April 10, 1950
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Donora, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
30
Jayson Williams
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: February 22, 1968
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ritter, South Carolina, United States
Height: 6'9" (206 cm)
31
Curtis Granderson
(Baseball Player)
Birthdate: March 16, 1981
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Blue Island, Illinois, US
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
32
Ron Washington
(Baseball player, Baseball coach)
Birthdate: April 29, 1952
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
33
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: February 18, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Thomaston, Georgia, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
Birthdate: November 8, 1989
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
35
Curt Flood
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: January 18, 1938
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Houston
Died: January 20, 1997
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
36
Coco Crisp
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: November 1, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
37
Albert Belle
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: August 25, 1966
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
38
Cedric Benson
(American football player)
Birthdate: December 28, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Midland, Texas, United States
Died: August 17, 2019
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
39
Torii Hunter
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: July 18, 1975
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
40
Andre Dawson
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: July 10, 1954
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
41
Ryan Howard
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: November 19, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
42
Mo'ne Davis
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: June 24, 2001
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: South Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
43
Mitch Richmond
(Basketball Players)
Birthdate: June 30, 1965
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
44
Jimmy Rollins
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: November 27, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
45
Gary Harris
(Basketball Player)
Birthdate: September 13, 1994
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Fishers, Indiana, United States
46
Tommy Pham
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: March 8, 1988
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
47
Larry Doby
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: December 13, 1923
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Camden, South Carolina, United States
Died: June 18, 2003
48
Juan Marichal
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: October 20, 1937
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Monte Cristi Province, Dominican Republic
49
Joe Carter
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: March 7, 1960
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
50
Dontrelle Willis
(Baseball player)
Birthdate: January 12, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
