This presentation will cover the history of how Black baseball players were able to break the color barrier and play in the major leagues. The history goes back to the early 1900s, when Black baseball players formed the Hilldale Club out of Darby, Pennsylvania. Later, the Philadelphia Stars, a Negro League baseball team, was founded in Philadelphia. The color line had developed in professional baseball, excluding African Americans from league play, until 1947, when Jackie Robinson opened the door to Black players by going to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Brian Michael is Adjunct Professor at Temple University, where he teaches Economy of Sports and Macroeconomics.  He is the author of a book on the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, the owner of Shibe Vintage Sports and Nation, and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.