By Pam J Henderson
Joe Black was a right handed pitcher who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Red legs and The Washington Senators. Joe also played on the Baltimore Elite Giants when the team won two Negro League championships.
From the Pam J Henderson collection.
Joe was the first African American Pitcher to win a World Series game in 1952 with Brooklyn. His roommate was Jackie Robinson while he was there. He was chosen Rookie of the year in that same year. In 6 seasons he had a 30-12 .
Joe would end his career with the Washington Senators where he would become the first African American player on the team in 1957. He became a scout for the Senators after his playing days and was an advocate for better treatment of Black Players and was affiliated with the commissioner’s office where he consulted with players about career choices. In 2010 the Washington Nationals began to present the Joe Black Award to area organizations who promoted African American Baseball in their communities.
