January 28 in San Francisco Giants History: The New York Giants sign their first black players: Negro League players Monte Irvin and Ford Smith (1949)

On January 28 1949 — The New York Giants sign their first black players: Negro League players Monte Irvin and Ford Smith. Both men are assigned to the Jersey City Giants (International League). Irvin will star for the Giants, but Smith will never make the major leagues.

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Source: Historical record

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