Jackie Robinson and John Wright: Pioneers in 1945 Minor League Baseball
The page from the 1946 Sporting News Baseball Ball Guide features a significant moment in baseball history, highlighting Jackie Robinson and John Wright. Both players were affiliated with the Montreal Royals, a team in the International League. The article notes that Robinson, as an infielder, and Wright, as a pitcher, were groundbreaking figures, representing the first African American players signed for trials in organized baseball during the 20th century. Their signing marked a pivotal change in the sport, challenging the racial barriers that had long excluded Black athletes from Major League Baseball. This inclusion came ahead of Robinson's historic debut in the major leagues, which would later occur in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.