Moses Fleetwood Walker was a Black baseball catcher and is credited as the first black player to play in Major League Baseball*, where he debuted for the Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884. Despite facing racism throughout his life and career, Walker continued to play baseball professionally for several years before ultimately retiring due to injury and becoming a successful businessman and inventor.
In 42 professional matches, he achieved a batting average of .263, made 40 hits, and scored 23 runs.
His efforts paved the way for future generations of Black athletes, including Jackie Robinson who crossed the color line in 1947.
More on Walker: Moses Fleetwood Walker: 7 Things You Need to Know About Majors’ 1st Black Player
*Previously, there was a debate about William Edward White being the first Black MLB player as he played a single professional game five years before Walker. However, due to White living life as a white man, this is disputed amongst historians.