In this Oct. 23, 1945, file photo, Jackie Robinson, first Negro player in the major leagues, signs with the Montreal Royals in Montreal. From left are: Royals president Hector Racine, Branch Rickey Jr., Robinson and Royals vice-president Romeo Gauvreau. Baseball's MVP award is engraved with the name of Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the first baseball commissioner. No Blacks played in the majors during his quarter-century tenure; Jackie Robinson broke the barrier about 2 1/2 years after Landis died.
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