Robert E. Weir, “Constructing Legends: Pumpsie Green, Race, and the Boston Red Sox” Historical Journal of Massachusetts Volume 42, No. 2 (Summer 2014). Published by: Institute for Massachusetts Studies and Westfield State University You may use content in this archive for your personal, non-commercial use. Please contact the Historical Journal of Massachusetts regarding any further use of this work:
[email protected] Funding for digitization of issues was provided through a generous grant from MassHumanities. Some digitized versions of the articles have been reformatted from their original, published appearance. When citing, please give the original print source (volume/ number/ date) but add "retrieved from HJM's online archive at http://www.wsc.ma.edu/mhj. 48 Historical Journal of Massachusetts • Summer 2014 Pumpsie Green and Billy Jurges The Red Sox’ first black player, Elijah “Pumpsie” Green, poses in what most likely was a promotional photo with Sox manager Billy Jurges. Green recalls a far less amiable welcome during his brief and troubled career in Boston. Photo by the Associated Press. 49 Constructing Legends: Pumpsie Green, Race, and the Boston Red Sox ROBERT E. WEIR Abstract: In 2009, the Boston Red Sox held a Jackie Robinson Day celebration to honor African American and Latino players. Three years later, the Red Sox held a 100th birthday party for its iconic stadium, Fenway Park. Elijah “Pumpsie” Green played key roles in each event. In 1959, Green became the first African American to wear a Red Sox uniform. In so doing, he also took down Major League Baseball’s final segregation barrier and became an important symbol of racial reconciliation for the city of baseball.