Tunnell was barrier breaker for CR club
The new Jackie Robinson biographical film “42” opens nationwide Friday. The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey to tell the story of the historic signing by the Brooklyn Dodgers and breaking baseball’s color barrier.
Cedar Rapids professional baseball has a similar story to share. On June 15, 1949, future Pro Football Hall of Fame member Emlen Tunnell became the first African American to appear in a minor league baseball game in Iowa - following Robinson’s signing - when he played left field for the Cedar Rapids Rockets.
Tunnell went 2-for-5 in his pro debut while breaking the Central Association’s color barrier. He played in five games over four days for Cedar Rapids gathering five hits in 18 plate appearances while playing in the outfield for the Rockets.
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