First Black Player in Pirates History: How Curt Roberts Broke Pittsburgh Color Barrier
As the baseball world celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, let's reflect on Curt Roberts' legacy in Pittsburgh.
First Black Player in Pirates History: How Curt Roberts Broke Pittsburgh Color Barrier originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh . Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here . While Pittsburgh was known for its legendary Negro League teams like the Crawfords and Grays in the early 1900s, the Pirates didn't have a Black player on their roster until 1954 when Curt Roberts officially broke the color barrier.
Roberts was a talented second baseman with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before being signed by the Boston Braves. When the Denver Bears of the Western League became an affiliate of the Pirates, Boston and Pittsburgh reached an agreement to allow Roberts to join the Pirates' system. Roberts later took the field for the 1954 season opener against the Phillies at Forbes Field, becoming a pioneer for the franchise.
As the baseball world celebrates Jackie Robinson Day, let's reflect on Roberts' legacy in Pittsburgh. Who is Curt Roberts? Roberts was a second baseman who officially integrated the Pirates on April 13, 1954.
His arrival was championed by general manager Branch Rickey, who previously signed Jackie Robinson as a Brooklyn Dodgers executive, following significant pressure from the local community. Roberts was an exceptional defender in the Negro Leagues, playing alongside future Hall of Famers like Ernie Banks and Satchel Paige. In honor of Black History Month, we're celebrating some of the greatest players in our history.