First black professional baseball player?
 

Hakes has an awesome team picture last night of a Findlay, Ohio team in 1894, which included black player Bud Fowler. He's identified as the first black professional baseball player. But I've seen a number of references to Moses Fleetwood Walker being the first black player on a pro team. Does anyone know the story? Maybe like many historical things up for some debate?

I know that in Mount Pleasant, Ohio he is credited with a lot to include being the first African American pro ball player. The little league field is named after him and has a historic plaque posted there. I lived in the town. Mt. Pleasant has been credited with being a key spot in the Underground Railroad. He was very outspoken about rights. And wanted to have all African Americans move back to Africa. I believe he was a doctor if I remember correctly. Other than that though I don’t know much more.


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I always thought the Walker brothers were the first two, and a decade ahead of Bud Fowler debuting in 1883 and 1884 respectively.

William Edward White played one pro game in 1879.

Fowler played professionally in the 1870s (as early as 1872 at age 14), but not in league baseball. He was a barber, not a doctor, though I believe barbers did more than cut hair in those days.
By the way, William Edward White was of mixed race and was believed to be caucasian when he played his lone major league game.

Interesting stuff. You can learn so much on this site.

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+1
Fowler is credited as the first Black player in organized professional baseball.
White (who passed as a White player) played in the one professional game before the Walker Bros.
Fleetwood Walker is credited as being first Black player in Major League baseball
Weldy Walker followed his brother playing Major League baseball in the AA
After which the Major Leagues then expelled/excluded all Black players ~ 1884 until Jackie came and broke the color line April 15, 1947

Not the first, but just about the last (until Jackie and Doby):

SABR: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/frank-grant/

John Thorn: https://ourgame.mlblogs.com/safe-at-home-97756ecc6861

Fowler and Home Run Johnson are one the early baseball HOF Ballot.