Enos Slaughter

Enos Slaughter was a fierce competitor and hard-nosed outfielder with an on-field intensity that earned him both acclaim and controversy. A 10-time All-Star and Hall of Famer, Slaughter played 19 seasons, mostly with the St. Louis Cardinals, and is remembered for his “Mad Dash” from first base to score the winning run in Game 7 of the 1946 World Series. He compiled over 2,300 hits and was a core piece of the Cardinals' wartime success, known for his hustle, determination, and aggressive base running.

Slaughter, however, is more than likely best known for his opposition to the integration of the major leagues. He was reported to have been among the players most hostile to Jackie Robinson when Robinson entered the National League in 1947. In a game near the end of the 1947 season, with the Dodgers and the Cardinals competing for the National League pennant, Slaughter spiked Robinson during a close play at first base, leaving a seven-inch gash on his leg and almost slicing his Achilles tendon. Though Slaughter denied that the spiking was deliberate, the play and his opposition have left a mark on his legacy.

Slaughter, who played until 1959, competed alongside Black teammates as integration progressed. Still, his story reflects the divisions and hostilities that Jackie Robinson and other Black pioneers had to navigate, not just from fans and the public, but from opponents on the field. Enos Slaughter’s Hall of Fame career cannot be separated from that context, serving as both a symbol of baseball excellence and a reminder of the resistance that made integration so challenging.