The first: Black players in MLB

Some of the players who helped integrate the major leagues made loud statements with their presence, but otherwise had a quiet day at the plate. Sam Jethroe wasn't having any of that quiet stuff. Jethroe went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs, two RBIs and a walk while starting in centerfield and batting second on April 18, 1950. The Braves clobbered the Giants, 11-4, and Jethroe's two-out solo shot in the eighth inning off reliever Kirby Higbe upped Boston's edge to 9-4. Due to an extensive career in the Negro Leagues, Jethroe was already 33 when he made his debut. He lasted just three full seasons in Boston, winning Rookie of the Year his first season and batting .261 with 49 home runs overall with the Braves. He played in the minors in 1953 before a trade to Pittsburgh, where he lasted just one at-bat. Jethroe played several more seasons with Toronto of the International League, but never played in the majors again.