#Shortstops: A reluctant trailblazer

Written by: Delaney Colson

Twelve years after Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, reintegrating the National League in 1947, the Boston Red Sox became the last major league team to integrate. The team had some false starts in offering tryouts to Black players but ultimately failed to sign anyone until 1959.

In the 1940s, Boston City Councilor Isadore Muchnick pressured the Red Sox to become more serious about evaluating Black talent. As a way of exerting pressure, Muchnik threatened to revoke the team’s permission to play Sunday baseball, a potential substantial economic blow to the team. Red Sox management agreed to his terms but kept the tryout under the radar. The Red Sox insisted on seeing only three players and not admitting the press to the event.

Jackie Robinson, Sam Jethroe and Marvin Williams attended the tryout in 1945, two years before Robinson ultimately debuted with the Dodgers. They had a brief workout at Fenway Park but were never again contacted by the Red Sox. In 1948 the Red Sox also had the opportunity to sign Willie Mays, but ownership and management still passed.

The Red Sox finally integrated in 1959 when they called up Elijah “Pumpsie” Green from their affiliate, the Minneapolis Millers.

Green had initially joined the Red Sox organization in 1955, when they bought his contract from the California League. In 1959, Green became the first Black player to train with the Red Sox in Scottsdale, Ariz. Due to segregation laws, however, he had to stay in separate quarters. Green was left to secure his own lodging but often traveled with the Chicago Cubs, the Red Sox’ barnstorming partner.

Despite a successful Spring Training and ample media buzz, Green was not given a spot on the roster for Opening Day. However, public pressure and a News Public Radio investigation into the team led to his call-up on July 21, 1959. He was called in as a pinch-runner toward the end of the game.

The Museum’s collection features three photographs from Green’s debut at Comiskey Park against the Chicago White Sox.

His debut was positive overall. Before the game, Ted Williams offered batting tips to Green. The now-iconic photo was published in The Boston Globe on July 22, 1959. After the chaos of Spring Training for Green, he could finally stay at the team hotel in Chicago. He spent part of the day playing card games with teammates at the hotel.

When the time came to make his Fenway debut, the team even flew in his wife, Marie Green, for the occasion. On Aug. 4, Green finally took the field in Boston, joining the regular lineup as the second baseman. He likely felt immense pressure entering his new home territory, but the stands were packed with people who wanted to see him play. Walking up to the plate, he was greeted with a raucous standing ovation.

After his retirement, Green looked back on his career with the Red Sox with an understanding of his place in the team’s history. His last visit to Fenway Park occurred in 2012 for the park’s 100th anniversary celebration. Two days later, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Jackie Robinson Day. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 85 in California.

Delaney Colson was the 2023 education intern in the Frank and Peggy Steele Internship Program for Leadership Development

#Shortstops: A reluctant trailblazer

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