In 1947 Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier by becoming the first person of color to play in the major leagues. But it almost happened in 1901. John McGraw wanted to sign a light-skinned Negro named Charlie Grant to play for the Giants.
Now baseball back before the 1900s was filled with white players who had a deep-seated prejudice against blacks. And for years there had been a so-called, gentleman’s agreement to keep black players out of the game. This agreement was fueled by the game’s first real superstar, Cap Anson. Before there was an AL and NL, the American Association was a major league.