50 Years of Integration for the Red Sox

By Matt Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff


Fifty years ago today the Boston Red Sox signed their first African-American player, Elijah "Pumpsie" Green. Under former owner, Tom Yawkey, there was a racist tone to the Sox. It took twelve long years after the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson, integrating Major League Baseball, to finally sign an African American player.

Yawkey has been accused of being a racist for his reluctance to employ African American players with the Red Sox, including passing on signing Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson. It was not until 1959, that the Red Sox became the last Major League team to field an African American player. This was almost three years after Robinson's retirement in 1956. Even after integrating, racism was believed to play a role in moves made by the Red Sox; notably the trade of star outfielder Reggie Smith. During that period, the Red Sox went from being a perennial contender to failing to finish within 10 games of first place for 17 years (1950–1966).

Unlike the Red Sox the Celtics took the opposite approach by being the first team in professional basketball to integrate. Charles "Chuck" Cooper was drafted in April of 1950 by the Celtics. The Celtics were mediocre until drafting another African American, Bill Russell, in 1956. Russell led the Celtics to championships in 1957 and 1959, before Pumpsie Green even played an inning with the Sox. I believe this was the main reason why the Celtics dominated basketball and the Red Sox stayed in the basement in the MLB through most of the 50's and 60's.

With the new ownership, diversity has been the trademark for their success with the inclusion of a mutli-cultural roster. In today's game, the Yawkey philosophy of segregation is no longer present nor tolerated. Although Yawkey Way pays tribute to the former owner; the current Red Sox Ownership paid tribute to Pumpsie Green at tonight's game by honoring his legacy with the ceremonial first pitch.