Moses Fleetwood Walker
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Moses Fleetwood Walker, sometimes nicknamed Fleet Walker, was an American professional baseball catcher credited with being the first black man to play major league baseball. A native of Mount Pleasan
Walker, c. 1884
1882 University of Michigan baseball team (Walker front row, third from right)
Weldy Walker
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Weldy Wilberforce Walker, sometimes known as Welday Walker and W. W. Walker, was an American professional baseball player. In 1884, he became the third African American to play Major League Baseball.
Moses Fleetwood Walker
…passed as a white man and self-identified as such), was the first to be open about his black heritage despite the widespread prejudice. His brother, Weldy Walker, followed suit the same year, joining the Toledo ball club. Walker played just one season, 42 games total, before injuries led to his release. Walker…
Walker cropped from portrait of the 1881 Oberlin College baseball team
1881 Oberlin College baseball team with Fleetwood Walker (seated at left) and Weldy Walker (standing in back row, second from the right)
1883 Michigan baseball team, Weldy Walker in the center of the front row
Weldy Walker cropped from 1883 team portrait