Based on a query on my post of April 10, 1947 concerning the Dodgers purchasing Jackie Robinson’s contract, I wanted to shed some light on Moses Fleetwood Walker (October 7, 1857 - May 11, 1924).
While Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson broke the established color line that kept blacks out of the Major Leagues, Jackie wasn’t the first black player in the history of the Major Leagues. That distinction is held by the aforementioned Moses Fleetwood Walker.
Walker was a catcher, playing college ball for Oberlin College in 1881 along with his brother Welday (In the second picture above number 6 is Fleetwood with his brother Welday at number 10 for the 1881 Oberlin College Varsity Team.) Upon graduating Oberlin and being accepted to the University of Michigan Law School, Moses Fleetwood Walker would play on their varsity team (middle of the top row in the third picture.)
In 1883, Moses Fleetwood Walker signed with the Toledo Blue Stockings of the minor league Northwestern League. When the Toledo Blue Stockings joined the American Association in 1884, Walker would become the first black player in the Majors. His brother Welday would become the second black player in the when he joined the Blue Stockings later in the season. This would be the only season either brother would play in the Majors.
Moses Fleetwood Walker would play in various minor leagues until he retired from Baseball in 1889. The “Gentleman’s Agreement“ keeping blacks out of the major leagues were enacted soon thereafter. The agreement was destroyed with the signing of Robinson.
For Further Reading:
The First African-American Major League Baseball Player by Miss Cellania from the Neatorama website dated October 17, 2013
Fleet Walker is first African-American to play in Major Leagues by Justice B. Hill from MLB.com
Moses Fleetwood Walker: The Forgotten Man Who Actually Integrated Baseball by Barry Regan from Bleacher Report dated April 16, 2012