Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s (MLB) color barrier in 1947, beginning an era during which the primary criterion for evaluating a player’s major league potential is talent, not skin color.

In the ensuing 27 years, black players populated every major league roster. However, opportunities in management lagged far behind. The minor leagues saw only three black managers – Gene Baker, Hector Lopez, and Hank Aaron’s brother Tommie. The majors had none (not counting Ernie Banks, who as a Cubs coach in 1973 filled in as manager of a May 8 game when manager Whitey Lockman was ejected in the 11th inning).

Frank Robinson is Named First MLB Black Manager

In September 1974 the Cleveland Indians acquired aging baseball star Frank Robinson from the California Angels. Robinson was winding down on a stellar playing career in which he hit 586 home runs and collected 2,943 hits. He earned numerous awards, including the National League Rookie of the Year in 1957, National League Most Valuable Player in 1961 and American League Most Valuable Player in 1966.