User:Onagtruk/sandbox

Dan Bankhead was a right-handed pitcher who played for the Birmingham Black Barons from 1940 to 1945 and the Memphis Red Sox in 1946 and 1947. Dodger president, Branch Rickey, bought Bankhead’s contract from the Red Sox in the middle of the 1947 season for $15,000. On August 26, 1947 in a game at Ebbets Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bankhead became the first black pitcher in modern major league baseball. In his relief appearance he allowed 15 hits and 8 runs in 3.1 innings. Bankhead did not pitch for the Dodgers in the 1947 World Series, but he did score a run as a pitch runner. After 1947, the Dodgers sent Dan down to the minor leagues. He returned to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 and part of 1951. He left major league baseball with a career ERA of 6.52 in 153.1 innings pitched.

Jehosie“Jay” Heard was a left-handed pitcher who played primarily for the Birmingham Black Barons and the Houston (New Orleans) Eagles. In the spring of 1949 the Memphis Red Sox bought his contact, but it is unclear if he played for the team. In 1952 the St. Louis Browns acquired Heard and placed him in their minor league system. The Browns where sold to Baltimore attorney Clearance Miles in 1953. In 1954 the team was moved to Baltimore and the team’s name was changed to the Orioles. Heard was called up from the minors to play on the new Orioles team. He only pitched two games, 3.1 innings. In that time he gave up 6 hits and 5 runs.

Marshall “Sheriff” Bridges was a left-handed pitcher who played for Memphis prior to his major league debut. In eight years with the major leagues he played for the St Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Washington Senators. In 345.1 innings pitched his career ERA was 3.75. He pitched in relief during game 4 of the of the 1962 World Series for the Yankees.

Bob “Rope” Boyd was a left-handed first baseman that played for the Memphis Red Sox in 1947 and 1948. In 1950 he was the first African American to sign with the Chicago White Sox. Over ten years Boyd played for the White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Athletics, and Milwaukee Braves. His career batting average with 1935 at bats was .293. Later in life Boyd continued to play baseball with the semi-pro Wichita Dreamliners. He was awarded the National Baseball Congress World Series MVP in 1965 when the Dreamliners won the championship.