Satchel Paige was the first Negro League player elected to the Hall of Fame.
In 1971, the National Baseball Hall of Fame created a Special Committee on the Nego Leagues to recognize African American players who played in the Negro Leagues and were unable to showcase their talents in the Major Leagues. This committee selected nine Negro League players, one at each position, to be elected into the Hall of Fame and represent the other black players whose achievements went unrecognized. The nine players were:
Satchel Paige, pitcher
Josh Gibson, catcher
Buck Leonard, first baseman
Martin Dihigo, second baseman
Judy Johnson, third baseman
Pop Lloyd, shortstop
Cool Papa Bell , left field
Oscar Charleston, center field
Monte Irvin, right field
