JIMMY CLAXTON BORN–1ST BLACK IN WHITE BASEBALL IN 20TH CENTURY HAD NATIVE HERITAGE
Born in Wellington, British Columbia, Claxton, who claimed Native American heritage, began playing baseball at age 13. In 1916, he joined the Pacific League Oakland Oaks after a Native American friend introduced him as a member of his tribe, thus getting him around baseball’s racial barrier. On May 28, 1916, Claxton broke the pro baseball color line by pitching in both games of a doubleheader. The Zee-Nut candy company unwittingly made Claxton the 1st Black player on a baseball card. Within a week, his African heritage was disclosed and he was fired. Claxton believed it was due to race; the Oaks claimed it was 3 runs, 4 hits & 4 walks in 2 & 1/3 innings. Claxton later played for: The all-Black semi-pro Shasta Limited in California where he struck out 19 players in a game; Negro League Chicago Union Giants & Cuban Stars; and East-West League Washington Pilots. Claxton died on March 3, 1970, in Tacoma, WA. Halls of Fame: Tacoma-Pierce County Sports (1969) and Canadian Baseball (2021).
Source: “Jimmy Claxton,” BR Bullpen. Retrieved 6/26/2022, Jimmy Claxton - BR Bullpen (baseball-reference.com). Photo: Author unknown, circa 1916. Likely Public Domain. If not Public Domain, then Fair Use. Source: http://www.baseballoakland.com/history/history6.php
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