The Negro Southern League

Dan Bankhead

Dan Bankhead

Daniel Robert Bankhead (May 3, 1920 –May 2, 1976) was the first black pitcher in Major League Baseball. Bankhead was one of seven children born to Garnett and Arie Armstrong Bankhead. Bankhead attended public schools until he won a contract with the 1940 Birmingham Black Barons. On April 221943, he enlisted with the Marine Corps and was stationed with the Montford Point Marines at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was given leave to pitch in at least one Black Barons game during his service, pitching a three-hit shutout with 17 strikeouts against the New York Black Yankees in the second game of a June 51944 double header at Yankee Stadium.