In 1952, Jimmy Newberry and John Britton, two veterans of the Negro Leagues, became the first African Americans to play in postwar Japan Pro Baseball. Newberry had already spent five years pitching for the Birmingham Black Barons when Harlem Globetrotters owner, Abe Saperstein, who owned his contract, made arrangements for Newberry and Britton to play in Japan for the Hankyu Braves.

Newberry, a pitcher, did quite well, winning 11 games with a 3.22 ERA. While Britton stayed in Japan for the 1953 season, Newberry returned to the U.S. Well past his prime, he pitched four years in American Class B and Class C leagues before retiring after the 1956 season. Jimmy Newberry's story is an important chapter for both Japan Pro Baseball, and for racial progress.

While we have had a number of JBR 28 Britton cards in our auctions in the past, this is only the second time we have ever offered a JBR 28 Newberry.

Blank Back

Size: 1 3/4" x 2 1/2"

Condition: Vg to Vg/Ex