Joe Black 2002 Deaths

Joe Black

Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher, who won rookie of the year honors and became the first black pitcher to win a World Series game in 1952; helped Brooklyn win National League pennant his rookie year, going 15-4 with 15 saves and a 2.15 ERA; despite starting just twice during the regular season, Dodgers manager Charlie Dressen gave him the nod in Game 1 vs. the Yankees, and he earned a complete-game, 4-2 victory; arm injuries restricted him to 34 appearances and a 6-4 record in 1953; played for Cincinnati and Washington before retiring in 1957; longtime executive with Greyhound and consultant for Major League Baseball. He died of prostrate cancer.