MOSES FLEETWOOD WALKER PHOTO

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Posted By: Jay Miller 

Julie--Did you see the photo of Walker when he was with the 1882 U. of Michigan team in Mastro's auction (Lot # 2039)?

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Posted By: Jon

Bud Fowler? He was a native of Fort Plain, NY - a small town 20 miles away from Cooperstown. I had always thought Bud Fowler was the first African-American to play baseball. He is actually referenced to it in not only the Baseball HOF, but also in Ken Burns history of baseball and numerous other books. Can someone explain to me the real story behind these two players?

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Posted By: harry

Bud Fowler is generally considered the first Professional African-American player. Don't remember which team he played for, but it is now not considered a part of a "Major" (National, Union, American Association, American, Federal, etc.) League. I think that he played in the late 1870's.

Moses Walker is generally considered to be the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues. I believe that he played with Toledo of the American Association in the mid 1880's.

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Posted By: jay behrens

The distiction is that Bud Fowler was the first Black to play Organized Ball, starting with the Lynn team in 1878. Walker was the first Black to play in a major league when he played for Toledo of the American Association. Fowler never played in a major league. His entire career was spent in the 'minors', but his career lasted longer than Walker's.

Jay

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Posted By: Julie

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