... failing memory. Just goes to prove that even when you have it confirmed from the source, it isn't always accurate.

Sam may remember as you related, Gene, but he remembers it wrong. The Boston Braves, of course, played in the NATIONAL League (later becoming the Milwaukee Braves and then the Atlanta Braves).

Sam was the National League ROY in 1950, but he was the third black National Leaguer to win the award (after Robinson in '47, when there was just one ROY, and Dodger pitcher Don Newcombe, who won the NL '49 award in the first year in which there was one in each league). In between Robinson and Newcombe, Brave (and later Giant) shortstop Alvin Dark won the '48 ROY.

The National League was much more receptive to Blacks than the American and many of the better Black players of the '50's started their careers in the NL. After Jethro, other Black NL ROY's included Willie Mays '51, Dodger pitcher Joe Black '52, Dodger 2b Jim Gilliam '53, Cincinnati OF Frank Robinson '56 and Giant 1b Willie McCovey '59.

It was 1966 before a Black player won the AL ROY award (Chisox and later Met OF Tommie Agee). As best I can tell, there have been 19 Black NL ROY's and only 8 in the AL. ----- jim o\-S