The Brooklyn Nine

Numerous sections of The Brooklyn Nine delve into the history of Black people playing American baseball. What happens in the novel mirrors American history. Just like attitudes about Jewish people become worse in the novel before they get better, so did the fate of Black American ball players. While Black Americans first played in American baseball leagues in the 1800s, they were eventually forced out of the white players’ leagues and developed their own barnstorming teams that traveled the country. Eventually, in the early 20th century, official leagues for Black players began to form around the country.

The Brooklyn Nine makes note of Jackie Robinson, the first Black player to make it to Major League Baseball in the 50 years since baseball was segregated. Before Robinson, the last Black player to play in Major League Baseball did so in 1889. Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 after playing a year in the “negro league.” Robinson’s baseball career was one of great success that included his winning of the National League Most Valuable Player of the Year. He was also inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. While Robinson is only mentioned briefly in The Brooklyn Nine, his legacy remains significant to baseball and Black American baseball in particular.

As the National Baseball Hall of Fame states, “In short, a snapshot of any point in time of America’s last 150 years includes the fabric of baseball. And often, baseball was at the forefront of cultural change” (“The History of Baseball and Civil Rights in America.” National Baseball Hall of Fame). Gratz centers The Brooklyn Nine around this very topic. Since the story of the United States includes the story of racism, so does Gratz’s book about the history of both the country and the game of baseball. Central to this is the contribution of Black American athletes, including Jackie Robinson.