Negro American League

American baseball organization

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July 1, 2026

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The Negro American League was an American baseball organization active primarily between 1920 and the late 1940s. It was one of several Negro leagues formed because Black players were excluded from Major League Baseball due to a "gentlemen's agreement" that erected a color bar. This exclusion persisted from the late 19th century until 1946.123

The Negro leagues provided a platform for talented African American players, featuring stars like Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and Cool Papa Bell. These leagues competed for championships and played in an annual Negro World Series. The Negro American League, formed in 1936, eventually had Eastern and Western divisions.231

The decline of the Negro leagues began after World War II, as players like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. This led to a loss of talent and fan interest, with the Negro American League eventually disbanding in 1960. In the 21st century, Major League Baseball officially recognized seven Negro leagues as major leagues, incorporating their statistics into MLB's official records.231

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baseball
Segregation
…in that decade, and the Negro American League, formed in 1936, ultimately had Eastern and Western divisions that in 1952 played a Negro East-West game. Among the most famous players in the various Negro leagues were Josh Gibson (who was credited with hitting 89 home runs in one season), Satchel…
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…in that decade, and the Negro American League, formed in 1936, ultimately had Eastern and Western divisions that in 1952 played a Negro East-West game. Among the most famous players in the various Negro leagues were Josh Gibson (who was credited with hitting 89 home runs in one season), Satchel…
Read More

Negro league
…Colored League (1923–28), and the Negro American League (1937–60). A “gentleman’s agreement” among the leaders of what was then called “Organized Baseball” (the major and minor leagues) erected a color bar against Black players from the last years of the 19th century until 1946, although these leaders rarely admitted its…
Read More
…Colored League (1923–28), and the Negro American League (1937–60). A “gentleman’s agreement” among the leaders of what was then called “Organized Baseball” (the major and minor leagues) erected a color bar against Black players from the last years of the 19th century until 1946, although these leaders rarely admitted its…
Read More