Synopsis
Jeffrey Michael Laing's biography "Bud Fowler: Baseball's First Black Professional" tells the story of John W. Jackson, born in 1858 in Fort Plain, New York, who grew up in nearby Cooperstown and later adopted the name Bud Fowler during his long and pioneering career in baseball. Widely recognized as the first African American to play in organized professional baseball, Fowler debuted in 1878 with the International Association and went on to star primarily at second base and occasionally on the mound for nearly two decades, competing on both integrated white teams and all-Black barnstorming squads across various minor leagues and exhibition circuits.
Despite his evident talent and consistent excellence—he was often the best player on his teams—Fowler faced relentless racial prejudice, including hostility from teammates and opponents, outright bans from certain leagues, and the constant threat of exclusion as the color line hardened in the late 19th century. Laing chronicles his nomadic journey through numerous towns and teams, his role in establishing successful Black barnstorming outfits like the Page Fence Giants (where he served as captain), and the personal toll of discrimination, financial hardship, and declining health that marked his later years. Fowler supplemented his baseball income as a barber, much like his father, a former slave, and eventually returned to central New York, where he died in relative obscurity in 1913 at age 54 and was buried in an unmarked grave.
The book not only reconstructs Fowler's remarkable on-field achievements and resilience but also situates his experiences within the broader context of racial struggles in early American baseball, building a case for his historical significance as a trailblazer who helped open doors for Black players long before the major leagues' integration in the 20th century. Laing's well-researched account draws on contemporary newspaper reports and other period sources to highlight both the admiration Fowler earned for his skills and the systemic barriers he confronted, ultimately contributing to renewed recognition of his legacy, including his 2022 election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.