Before Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947, the sport in the United States was divided—white players competed in Major League Baseball while Black players were restricted to the Negro Leagues. Life for African Americans in baseball was deeply unfair compared to conditions in the MLB, and when Robinson finally debuted, fans reacted with the discrimination many expected, though stadiums were suddenly fuller than ever. Over time, more African Americans entered the MLB, transforming the sport, and their impact continues to shape baseball today.