Breaking The Color Line

Jackie Robinson-Rookie of the Year
Vol. 1, no. 6. Greenwich, CT:
Fawcett Publications (July 1950)
Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4
Page 5 - Page 6 - Page 7
Serials & Government Publications Division

Kansas City Monarchs vs. Indianapolis Clowns
Game program front cover - back cover
Offset lithograph, 1954
Manuscript Division

Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play Major League baseball in the twentieth century. He quickly became a cultural icon to millions of fans. In 1950, in only his fourth season, he starred as himself in a feature length motion picture (The Jackie Robinson Story) and was the subject of a comic book series.

His breaking of the color line in organized baseball led to the signing of many more African Americans, resulting in the ultimate demise of the Negro Leagues by 1960. In response, the Negro leagues drafted women players including Toni Stone, Connie Morgan, and "Peanut" Johnson, prominently featured in this game program, in an effort to increase fan interest and attendance.