The History of the Black Aces
Baseball has always been a game of milestones, and one of the most prestigious for a pitcher is winning 20 games in a single season. For Black pitchers, breaking through the game’s long-standing racial barriers and achieving that feat is even more significant. Enter the Black Aces—a legendary fraternity of Black pitchers who have reached the 20-win mark in Major League Baseball history. This elite group, named after the book The Black Aces: Baseball’s Only African-American Twenty-Game Winners by Jim “Mudcat” Grant, represents dominance on the mound and the resilience and excellence of Black players in a sport that didn’t always welcome them.
The First Black Aces: Pioneers on the Mound
Not just any pitcher can join this club—only those who have won 20 or more games in a season make the cut. The Black Aces include some of the most electrifying arms the game has ever seen. Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers was the first Black pitcher to achieve this milestone post-integration, winning 20 games in 1951, 1955, and 1956. Sam Jones, a dominant right-hander, became the first Black pitcher to lead the National League in wins when he reached 20 victories in 1959. Jim “Mudcat” Grant, who also coined the term Black Aces, made history in 1965 by becoming the first Black pitcher to win 20 games in the American League while leading the Minnesota Twins to the World Series. Bob Gibson, one of the most feared pitchers in history, reached the 20-win mark four times in 1965, 1966, 1968, and 1970, and was the definition of dominance for the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Expansion of the Black Aces
As baseball progressed, more Black pitchers joined this elite fraternity. Ferguson Jenkins, a master of control who became the first Black pitcher to win a Cy Young Award, won 20 games in 1967, 1971, 1972, and 1974. Earl Wilson joined the club in 1967, followed by Vida Blue, who cemented himself as a star by winning 20 games three times in 1971, 1973, and 1975. Al Downing, best known for giving up Hank Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run, was also a 20-game winner in 1971. The flame-throwing J.R. Richard dominated in 1976, while Mike Norris put together a spectacular 20-win season in 1980. Dwight “Doc” Gooden, one of the most electrifying young pitchers of all time, reached the milestone in 1985, and Dave Stewart became the ace of a powerhouse Oakland Athletics squad, hitting the mark in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990.
The Modern Black Aces
As the game evolved, the Black Aces became even rarer. With his high leg kick and infectious energy, Dontrelle Willis became the first Black pitcher to win 20 games in the 21st century, achieving the feat in 2005. In 2010, CC Sabathia joined the club with a dominant 21-win season for the New York Yankees, further cementing his legacy as one of his era’s most durable and dominant pitchers. Two years later, David Price, a Cy Young winner and World Series champion, became the most recent member of the Black Aces when he won 20 games in 2012.
Cementing Legacies
Four of the 15 Black Aces have received baseball’s highest honor—enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. Bob Gibson, who finished his career with over 3,000 strikeouts and a mind-blowing 1.12 ERA season, was inducted in 1981. Ferguson Jenkins, one of the best control pitchers of all time and a 284-game winner, joined him in 1991. Don Newcombe never made it into the Hall of Fame as a player, but he was posthumously honored in 2019 for his contributions to baseball and breaking barriers. In 2025, CC Sabathia officially joined this elite group, taking his place among the game’s immortals as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
The Black Aces are more than just a club—they represent overcoming adversity, breaking barriers, and proving that Black pitchers could dominate the game at the highest level. Their legacy continues to inspire young pitchers, showing that greatness on the mound is within reach, no matter the color of your skin. These pitchers not only earned their spot in baseball history but also opened doors for future generations to follow.
For Black History Month, we celebrate these pioneers who took the ball, stared down history, and threw heat. Would you collect the Black Aces’ trading cards? Let us know which player is your favorite from this legendary club!
