Moses Fleetwood walks over to Lelands

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Posted By: Josh Evans

Hey:
I have a question please. I just took in this great cabinet photograph for the May auction. I remember Don Flanagan (RIP) having it many years ago. That is Moses Fleetwood Walker (top row left) and the Syracuse Stars of 1888. I have forgotten the story of the other dark skinned young man is at bottom left. No way is that Moses brother Weldy Walker. Who is this?

By the way I am in Boston this weekend still looking for stuff for the May auction. Email me if you have anything.

Thanks
Josh Evans

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

His name was Robert Higgins.
-Rhett

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Posted By: brock

Dealing with Fleetwood, i have a question about him. Why does everyone say Jackie Robinson was the first black player in baseball but Moses Fleetwood played way before him, i know he got banned from playing.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

The official Robinson website itself acknowledges that there were integrated Major League black players in the 19th century. The Negro League Player's Association, the Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress also recognize the existence of 1800s Major League black players. Their consensus is that Robinson was significant, not because he was the very first, but but because he broke a longstanding segregation that existed from the very late 19th century to 1946. He broke the 20th century's color barrier. As wikipedia says, Robinson was the first black MLB player of the "modern era."

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Posted By: Mark Fimoff

BTW these guys are:

Moses Fleet Walker, Ed Dundon, Mox McQuery, Bones Ely, Bill Higgins

Ollie Beard, Murphy, Rasty Wright, Charles Hackett, Joe Battin, may be Ed Mars?

Robert Higgins, Al Schellhase

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Posted By: Josh Evans

Rhett
Thank you so much for your help. You were first so you win. Please take a $100 credit towards any future Lelands auction.
Regards
Josh