Red Sox First African-American Player Pumpsie Green Passes Away
By Michael Luciano
The Boston Red Sox lost a franchise legend who left an indelible mark on the history of the team.
Second baseman Pumpsie Green, who was the first African-American player to play for the Red Sox, passed away at the age of 85.
RIP Pumpsie Green, the first African-American player for the Boston #RedSox, who were the last baseball team to integrate in 1959. Green was 85 years old.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 17, 2019
Elijah Jerry Green was born on October 27, 1933 in Boley, Oklahoma. The brother of legendary Dallas Cowboys defensive back Cornell Green, Pumpsie was signed by the Red Sox in 1955, but spent three years in the minor leagues. The Red Sox became the last team in baseball to field an African-American player when he made his debut on July 21, 1959.
Over 344 games with the Red Sox and Mets, Green hit .246 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs. His best season came in 1961, when he hit .260 with six home runs in just 88 games.
Before Wednesday night's game, Fenway Park observed a moment of silence for Green.
Moment of silence before the game at Fenway in memory of Pumpsie Green, the first black player in Sox history.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 17, 2019
He made his debut in 1959.
While Green was a decent, slick-fielding middle infielder as a player, his legacy as a pioneer and a trail blazer will never be forgotten.