This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2014
Dan Bankhead was the first black pitcher in major league baseball, playing for the Dodgers from 1947 through 1951. Historically, players are given three copies of their contracts and asked to sign and return two of those copies-one each for the team and the other for the league. The third copy is theirs and as such is typically signed by the team's executive but unsigned by the player (who need not sign his own copy). This was Dan Bankhead's personal copy of his 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers player’s contract; thus, it is signed only by Branch Rickey. Bankhead pitched in 41 games during 1950, attaining all of his nine major league wins that season. He pitched in seven more games in 1951, making his last major league appearance that year on July 18th. Bankhead was one of five brothers who played in the Negro Leagues but the only one of the five to make it to the majors. He also made history when he hit a home run in his first major league at bat, becoming the first black player to do so.
Bankhead 's 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers player's contract to play the season for the sum of $5,000 has been signed in perfect looking 9-10/10 black ink by former Dodgers President, and Hall of Famer Branch Rickey. Contract is in excellent condition.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.