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A look at the baseball cards of Jackie Robinson and 15 black pioneers who followed his path
The new book "After Jackie" explores the 15 major leaguers who broke the color barrier for their respective teams following Jackie Robinson’s debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers 75 years ago on April 15, 1947.
Another layer of the new “After Jackie” book that is perfect for the book and the era when the featured players debuted: In all possible cases, each chapter ends with an image of one of their baseball cards.
The digital version of the book shows the cards in color; black and white for the print copies.
“It would be a wonderful set to put together — ‘The Firsts,’” "After Jackie author Jeffrey S. Copeland said. “And we’re not talking about a lot of money for these, on average,” he added.
The one exception is Jackie Robinson cards, which the author accurately calls “off the charts.” Robinson’s 1948 Leaf rookie card has sold recently for nearly $500,000, while even mid-level and low grades go for five figures.
Recent auctions of mid-level grades of his 1956 Topps card, his last mainstream card, have changed hands for around $1,200.
Here's a look at the other cards (Topps unless noted) featured in “After Jackie,” in order of appearance:
Larry Doby, 1958 #424
Hank Thompson, 1953 #20
Monte Irvin, 1955 #100
Sam Jethroe, 1951 Bowman #242
Minnie Miñoso, 1956 #125
Bob Trice, 1955 #132
Ernie Banks, 1960 #10
Curt Roberts, 1955 #107
Tom Alston, 1955 Bowman #257
Chuck Harmon, 1955 #82
Carlos Paula, 1956 #4
Elston Howard, 1956 #208
John Kennedy, faux 1957
Ozzie Virgil, 1959 #203
Pumpsie Green, 1960 #317
