Notable Debut – Page 5 – Society for American Baseball Research

Carlos Bernier (TRADING CARD DB)

April 22, 1953: Carlos Bernier breaks color line in debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

May 6, 1953: Bobo Holloman throws a no-hitter in his first major-league start

September 13, 1953: Bob Trice becomes first Black player on Philadelphia A’s

September 17, 1953: Ernie Banks breaks color barrier for Cubs

April 13, 1954: Tom Alston makes Cardinals history as first Black player to take the field

1954 Baltimore Orioles program (COURTESY OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES)

April 15, 1954: Orioles return to Baltimore after 52 years

Nino Escalera and Chuck Harmon (TRADING CARD DB)

April 17, 1954: Nino Escalera, Chuck Harmon integrate Cincinnati Reds in loss to Milwaukee Braves

July 17, 1954: Dodgers field first majority-Black lineup in National League history

Harmon Killebrew (TRADING CARD DB)

August 23, 1954: Harmon Killebrew goes 3-for-4 in first start for Senators

Carlos Paula (THE TOPPS COMPANY)

September 6, 1954: Carlos Paula integrates the Washington Senators

Karl Spooner (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

September 22, 1954: Karl Spooner strikes out 15 in Dodgers’ debut

1955 Kansas City Athletics yearbook (COURTESY OF STEPHEN V. RICE)

April 12, 1955: Connie Mack, Harry Truman see Athletics win in Kansas City debut

Elston Howard (TRADING CARD DB)

April 14, 1955: Elston Howard integrates the Yankees

April 17, 1955: Roberto Clemente records first hit and scores first run with Pirates

July 17, 1955: Don Bessent completes Dodgers’ debut sweep of Redlegs

August 27, 1955: Teenage Sandy Koufax strikes out 14 in first big-league win

Brooks Robinson (TRADING CARD DB)

September 17, 1955: Brooks Robinson makes his major-league debut with Orioles

Don Drysdale

April 23, 1956: Don Drysdale beats Phillies in first major-league start

John Kennedy (PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES)

April 22, 1957: John Kennedy becomes first African American to play for Philadelphia Phillies

April 18, 1958: Dodgers make Los Angeles debut in win over rival Giants

June 6, 1958: Ozzie Virgil breaks Detroit Tigers’ color line as first Dominican player in AL

Carl Yastrzemski (TRADING CARD DB)

April 22, 1959: Carl Yastrzemski contributes to win in first pro game for Raleigh

Pumpsie Green (NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY)

July 21, 1959: Pumpsie Green makes his debut with Boston Red Sox

Ron Santo (TRADING CARD DB)

June 26, 1960: Ron Santo makes auspicious debut for last-place Cubs