Robert Boyd began his career with the Negro League Memphis Red Sox in 1946 at the age of 20. After four successful years with Memphis, Boyd signed with the Chicago White Sox, marking the integration of that team in 1950. Due to concerns about the differences between major league and Negro League baseball, the White Sox sent him to several of their farm teams to develop his hitting skills. Chicago ultimately traded him to the St. Louis Browns in 1954 who then sent him down to their farm club, the Houston Buffaloes. Boyd became the first black player to integrate Houston baseball. During his time with Houston, he contributed to two winning seasons by hitting .310 and .321. Boyd left Houston in 1956 when he signed with the Orioles where he would finally find a home as a pinch hitter averaging .293 over his six years in Baltimore. | Source: Negro Leagues Baseball MuseumDownload Original File
