Saturday marks 50 years since Lucas became MLB’s first Black GM

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of Bill Lucas becoming the first Black GM in MLB history. Lucas was named VP/Player Personnel of the Braves on Sept. 19, 1976. In his role, the trailblazing Lucas drafted Dale Murphy and Bob Horner, while hiring future Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox. Lucas, who passed away on May 5, 1979, at age 43, was inducted in the team’s Hall of Fame in 2006. MLB did not have another Black GM until 1993, when the Astros hired Bob Watson.