Curt Roberts

Curt Roberts holds a unique place in baseball history as the first Black player to wear a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform. A native of Pineland, Texas, Roberts signed with the Pirates organization in 1952 and made his MLB debut two years later, on April 13, 1954. His journey, like many Black players who followed Jackie Robinson, was filled with immense pressure, both to perform, and to represent something larger than himself.

A slick, fielding second baseman with speed and defensive range, Roberts played in 134 games over three seasons but never fully found his footing at the major league level. Yet his mere presence was a breakthrough moment for Pittsburgh, which had lagged behind in embracing integration. Even though Roberts’ time in the Negro Leagues with the Kansas City Monarchs had prepared him for elite competition, the obstacles in the big leagues extended beyond the field, segregated accommodations, fan hostility, and limited support systems were constant challenges.

Roberts’ pioneering role set the stage for others, including future Pirates stars like Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell, to join a more inclusive team. Though his career was short-lived, Curt Roberts helped usher in a new era in Pittsburgh baseball. His quiet courage and determination made him part of the larger civil rights movement within America’s pastime, a legacy of breaking barriers that would extend far beyond his stat line.