Sports has had many heroes who paved several paths for us to follow and enjoy. Through their leadership, we have progressed as a society in many ways, even if we still have a long way to go.
Imagine how much further behind it could be without them.
Here is a short list of a few heroes for us to never forget. There are so many more, but I wanted to concentrate on a few trail blazers who were the first to accomplish the goals they set out to do.
Don Barksdale
Was the first consensus African American All-American for NCAA college basketball in 1947 at UCLA. The first African American on an Olympic basketball team, and the first African American to win Gold on an Olympic basketball team in 1948.
He was the first NBA African American All-Star with the Baltimore Bullets in 1953. His career was over in two years due to ankle problems.
He was also the first African American disc jockey in San Francisco radio history. He also saved school sports from going bankrupt in Oakland before his death in 1993.
Harry Lew
Was the first African American to play professional basketball in 1902. In a time where there was no backboard or out of bounds, missed shots usually were followed by a scrum for the ball.
Lew was considered one of the best defensive players and top double dribblers. Double dribbling was a legal part of the game then.
Lew dealt with much bigotry from the fans and players, who would throw elbows and knees. He played with the league until it folded in 1905. Lew then spent the next 21 years barnstorming America with teams he organized.
William Edward White
Was the first African American to play pro baseball. He played one game in 1879. He is also the only former slave to have played pro baseball. He went 1-4 with a run scored.
His mother was a slave and mistress to his father. His fathers will read that his slaves three kids would receive educations up North. White went to Brown University. It is said he may have passed himself off as caucasian when he played.
Moses Fleetwood Walker
Played pro baseball in 1884.
In 1883, while in the minor leagues, Walker had a run in with Cap Anson, a Hall of Fame player. Anson refused to play, or allow his team to play with Walker, but succumbed to pressure to the threat of not getting paid.
Walker was said to be one of the finest defensive catchers in his time, where catchers wore no gear at all. Not even a mitt.
His brother, Weldy, played six games with him in 1884.
Walker suffered a season ending injury in July of 1884 and played in the minors in 1885 to 1886.
In 1887, Walker formed the first African American battery with George Stovey. While Walker was hurt, Stovey was set to pitch against Anson and the White Sox. Anson had prevented Stovey from signing with the Giants in 1886, and complained again. This was the moment in history that most led to the segregation of baseball until Jackie Robinson joined the Dodgers in 1946.
Walker went on to become an author and a prominent supporter of Black nationalism. He felt that America would never truly become integrated.
Fritz Pollard
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