Joe Black

Joe Black (1924-2002) was an American baseball pitcher who played in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Elite Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Cincinnati Redlegs, and Washington Senators. The Dodgers promoted him to the majors in 1952 at age 28, and he was named National League Rookie of the Year after winning 15 games and saving 15 for the pennant-winning club. In the 1952 World Series against the New York Yankees, he became the first Black pitcher to win a World Series game, taking the opener 4-2; he started three times in the series. Over six seasons he compiled a 30-12 record, with half of his wins coming in his rookie year.