Little Rock Desegregation- Baseball

Fifty years ago, Dick Allen became the first African American player for the Arkansas Travelers baseball team. Allen came from the Philadelphia Phillies, where in 1960 he received the highest ever signing on bonus for a black player. Fearing a reaction from the local community, Little Rock newspapers did not herald Allen’s arrival. Little Rock White Citizens’ Council members picketed his first game with signs reading, “Don’t Negro-ize baseball.” Two hundred black fans out of a 7,000 crowd watched his debut. Allen hit two doubles. The second put the Traveler’s in front and they went on to win the game. Allen had a distinguished career. He was the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1964 and the American League’s Most Valuable Player in 1972. He played in seven All-Star games and for numerous professional teams. I’m John Kirk of the UALR History Department and this has been an Arkansas moment.