Famous African American Baseball Players Who Had Taken The Sport To The Next Level

Be it basketball or soccer, African American players have always impressed sports lovers with their incredible talent. Baseball lovers too have often been enthralled by the stellar performances of African American players. Jackie Robinson, Barry Bonds, Frank Robinson, Hank Thompson and Willard Brown are a few notable Basketball players of African American descent who are noteworthy figures of Baseball’s rich history. Jackie Robinson’s incredible achievements in his 10-year-long career are spoken about in high regards even till date by sports lovers across the world. He had earned the ‘Rookie Of The Year’ and also secured a place in the ‘Basketball Hall Of Fame’ back in 1962 for his prowess at the sport. Hank Thompson had represented several teams, such as ‘Dallas Green Monarchs’, ‘Kansas City Monarchs’ and ‘New York Giants’. Among contemporary Baseball greats, pitcher CC Sabathia deserves a special mention for his contribution towards the sport. Sabathia has performed exceptionally well in most of the tournaments he has participated in. The ace pitcher has represented the teams ‘New York Yankees’ and ‘Cleveland Indians’. All these individuals have set examples for aspirants of the game to follow. We have compiled the names of a few notable African American Baseball players, who are favorites among lovers of the sport. A few facts and trivia related to these players might take you by surprise. It is high time we remind the world about the contributions of these unsung heroes.
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 1 
Jackie Robinson
(First African-American to Play in Major League Baseball)
Jackie Robinson
51
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 31, 1919
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cairo, Georgia, United States
Died: October 24, 1972
The first African-American to play in MLB in the modern era, Jackie Robinson helped herald the end of racial segregation in baseball. He broke the baseball color line and encouraged black players not to be confined to the Negro leagues alone. In 1962, he became a Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.
 2 
Deion Sanders
(Former American Football Player, Coach and Only Athlete to Play in Both 'Super Bowl' and 'World Series')
Deion Sanders
41
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Fort Myers, Florida, United States

American football player Deion Sanders is considered one of the strongest pass defenders of the game. He was an electrifying athlete and played in the National Football League for 14 seasons. He played for teams like Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. He is now a coach and a sports analyst. He’s also a rapper.

 

 3 
Derek Jeter
(American Former Professional Baseball Shortstop and Executive)
Derek Jeter
35
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 26, 1974
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pequannock Township, New Jersey, United States

Derek Jeter is an American former baseball player whose popularity had made him one of the most marketed sportsmen of his generation during his playing career. Since 2017, he has been playing a key role as part owner and the chief executive officer of the Miami Marlins. Also a well-known philanthropist, Jeter created a charitable organization called Turn 2 Foundation.

 4 
Hank Aaron
(One of the Greatest Baseball Players in History)
Hank Aaron
33
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 5, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Died: January 22, 2021

Baseball player Hank Aaron, also known as Hammer or Hammerin' Hank, is remembered for his stint with the MLB teams Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. He also competed as part of the Negro League team Indianapolis Clowns. He was named to The Sporting News 100 Greatest Baseball Players.

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 5 
Barry Bonds
(One of the Greatest Baseball Players of All Time)
Barry Bonds
16
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 24, 1964
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Riverside, California, United States
Former baseball player Barry Bonds is known for his stints with the MLB teams Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. The seven-time NL MVP-winning and eight-time Gold Glove-winning player once faced trial for use of anabolic steroids. He is a 14-time All Star, he is also a cycling lover.
 6 
Willie Mays
(One of the Best All-Around Players in the History of Baseball)
Willie Mays
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 6, 1931
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Westfield, Alabama, United States

Willie Mays is considered one of the all-time greats of baseball. His breathtaking catch of Vic Wertz’s fly ball is etched as a great movement in the history of the sport. Associated with New York / San Francisco Giants for about two decades, the former center fielder with record Major League Football putouts, features in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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 7 
Sammy Sosa
(Baseball player)
Sammy Sosa
27
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 12, 1968
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 8 
Aaron Judge
(American Professional Baseball Player Who Plays as a Outfielder)
Aaron Judge
45
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 26, 1992
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Linden, California, United States
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge became the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year. In 2017, he made a single-season franchise home record with the Yankees. He became the first MLB rookie to win the Home Run Derby. His charity All Rise Foundation focuses on helping children become responsible citizens.
 9 
Bo Jackson
(Former Baseball & Football Player, the Only Professional Athlete in History to be Named an 'All-Star' in Both)
Bo Jackson
18
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bessemer, Alabama, United States

Former professional baseball and football player Bo Jackson has the distinction of being the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both the sports. Considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, he pursued his other interests following his retirement from sports in the 1990s. He has acted in a few TV shows, playing minor characters.

 10 
Satchel Paige
(American Professional Baseball Pitcher)
Satchel Paige
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 7, 1906
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Died: June 8, 1982

Legendary baseball pitcher Satchel Paige was part of the MLB and the Negro League Baseball. The National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee began his career playing for the Chattanooga Black Lookouts and later played for teams such as the Cleveland Indians. He was the American League’s first black pitcher.

 11 
Jameis Winston
(American Football Player)
Jameis Winston
46
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 6, 1994
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bessemer, Alabama, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 12 
Frank Thomas
(Baseball player)
Frank Thomas
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 27, 1968
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Columbus, Georgia, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 13 
Mookie Betts
(Baseball Player)
Mookie Betts
16
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 7, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 14 
Dennis Johnson
(Basketball player)
Dennis Johnson
11
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 18, 1954
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Died: February 22, 2007
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
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 15 
JaVale McGee
(Basketball player)
JaVale McGee
13
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 19, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Flint, Michigan, USA
Height: 7'0" (213 cm)
 16 
Ozzie Smith
(Baseball player)
Ozzie Smith
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 26, 1954
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 17 
Dusty Baker
(Baseball manager)
Dusty Baker
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 15, 1949
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Riverside, California, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 18 
CC Sabathia
(Baseball player)
CC Sabathia
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 21, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Vallejo, California, U.S.
 19 
Roy Campanella
(Baseball player - Catcher)
Roy Campanella
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 19, 1921
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: June 26, 1993
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 20 
Darryl Strawberry
(Baseball player)
Darryl Strawberry
10
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 12, 1962
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 21 
Barry Larkin
(Baseball player)
Barry Larkin
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 28, 1964
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 22 
Prince Fielder
(Baseball player)
Prince Fielder
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 9, 1984
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ontario, California
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 23 
Monta Ellis
(Basketball player)
Monta Ellis
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 26, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 24 
Tim Raines
(Baseball player)
Tim Raines
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 16, 1959
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Sanford, Florida, United States
 25 
Willie McCovey
(Baseball player)
Willie McCovey
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 10, 1938
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mobile
Died: October 31, 2018
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 26 
Matt Kemp
(Baseball Player)
Matt Kemp
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 23, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Midwest City, Oklahoma, USA
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 27 
Dave Roberts
(Baseball player)
Dave Roberts
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 31, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Naha, Okinawa, Japan
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 28 
Kevin Johnson
(Politician)
Kevin Johnson
7
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 4, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sacramento, California, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 29 
Curtis Granderson
(Baseball Player)
Curtis Granderson
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 16, 1981
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Blue Island, Illinois, US
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 30 
Jayson Williams
(Basketball player)
Jayson Williams
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 22, 1968
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Ritter, South Carolina, United States
Height: 6'9" (206 cm)
 31 
Ken Griffey Sr.
(Baseball player, Coach)
Ken Griffey Sr.
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 10, 1950
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Donora, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 32 
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
(Basketball player)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
8
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 18, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Thomaston, Georgia, United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 33 
Giancarlo Stanton
(Baseball player)
Giancarlo Stanton
15
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 8, 1989
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 34 
Ron Washington
(Baseball player, Baseball coach)
Ron Washington
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: April 29, 1952
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
 35 
Coco Crisp
(Baseball player)
Coco Crisp
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 1, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
 36 
Curt Flood
(Baseball player)
Curt Flood
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 18, 1938
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Houston
Died: January 20, 1997
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 37 
Albert Belle
(Baseball player)
Albert Belle
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 25, 1966
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 38 
Cedric Benson
(American football player)
Cedric Benson
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 28, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Midland, Texas, United States
Died: August 17, 2019
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
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 39 
Torii Hunter
(Baseball player)
Torii Hunter
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 18, 1975
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 40 
Andre Dawson
(Baseball player)
Andre Dawson
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: July 10, 1954
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 41 
Ryan Howard
(Baseball player)
Ryan Howard
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 19, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 42 
Mo'ne Davis
(Baseball player)
Mo'ne Davis
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 24, 2001
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: South Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 43 
Mitch Richmond
(Basketball Players)
Mitch Richmond
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 30, 1965
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 44 
Jimmy Rollins
(Baseball player)
Jimmy Rollins
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: November 27, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
 45 
Gary Harris
(Basketball Player)
Gary Harris
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: September 13, 1994
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Fishers, Indiana, United States
 46 
Tommy Pham
(Baseball player)
Tommy Pham
6
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 8, 1988
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 47 
Juan Marichal
(Baseball player)
Juan Marichal
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 20, 1937
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Monte Cristi Province, Dominican Republic
 48 
Larry Doby
(Baseball player)
Larry Doby
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 13, 1923
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Camden, South Carolina, United States
Died: June 18, 2003
 49 
Joe Carter
(Baseball player)
Joe Carter
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 7, 1960
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
 50 
Dontrelle Willis
(Baseball player)
Dontrelle Willis
1
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 12, 1982
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States