Roy Campanella, one of the most consequential figures in baseball history, was born Nov. 19, 1921, in Philadelphia. Campanella became the first Black catcher in Major League Baseball and a key contributor to the sport’s integration.
Campanella left high school at age 16 to join the Washington Elite Giants of the Negro National League. His father was of Italian descent and his mother was African American. Like other Black players, he was barred from entering Major League Baseball until the racial barrier began to fall in the late 1940s.
Roy Campanella
Major League Baseball signed its first Black player of the modern era when Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Campanella was hired by the Dodgers the following year. He became the team’s starting catcher and remained a central figure in the lineup through the 1957 season.
Campanella earned three National League Most Valuable Player awards, in 1951, 1953 and 1955. He was widely regarded as one of the league’s top defensive catchers, known for his strong throwing arm and ability to manage a pitching staff.
Campanella’s career ended in January 1958 after a car accident left him paralyzed. He remained active in baseball through community events and public appearances and became an advocate for people with disabilities.
In 1969, Campanella was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Campanella died of a heart attack on June 26, 1993. He was 71.
