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1947 Dan Bankhead Signed Brooklyn Dodgers Contract - First African American Pitcher in MLB History (PSA)
<p>Historic 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers contract signed by Dan Bankhead, the first African American pitcher in Major League baseball. The four-page fold-over contract, between "The Brooklyn National League Baseball Club, Inc.," and Dan Bankhead has been signed in black fountain pen by "Dan R. Bankhead" (grading 8/10) and team president Branch Rickey (9/10). What makes this contract especially significant is its date: August 26, 1947. That was the day in which Bankhead made his Major League debut with the Dodgers, thereby making him the first African American pitcher in Major League Baseball (he was also the second African American player on the Brooklyn Dodgers, the second African American player in National League history, and the fifth and final African American player to appear in the Majors in 1947). The one-year agreement calls for Bankhead to receive $5,000 for the remainder of the season. </p><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Bankhead's debut on April 26th occurred in relief against the Pittsburgh Pirates and while his pitching line was less than stellar (8 runs in 3.1 innings), he did accomplish something that day that only a few other players have equaled: he homered in his first Major League at bat (it was the only home run of his Major League career). Bankhead appeared in three more games that season, all in relief (no decisions), and finished with an ERA of 10.00. He was included on the Dodgers' 1947 World Series roster, but his only appearance was as a pinch runner in Game 6. Bankhead played in the minors for the next two seasons before rejoining the Dodgers in 1950, posting a 9-4 record with a 5.50 ERA. His final appearance in the Majors came in 1951, after which he continued to play professionally in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Canada. Bankhead died in 1976 at the age of 55. As a result, his signature remains scarce today. The contract (8.5x11") displays two horizontal folds and a small stain along the spine that affects each page. In Very Good condition overall. Full LOA from PSA.<br></span></p>
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