In June of 1955, Nate Dickerson, a 1955 graduate of Cheltenham High School, became the first African-American baseball player to ever play for the Philadelphia Phillies organization (Majors or Minors).

Dickerson debuted on Monday, June 20, 1955 when Pulaski (Va.) defeated Bristol (Tenn.), 9-4, in the first game of an Appalachian League doubleheader. He played first base and went 1-for-2 in the game. 

Dickerson played five years in the Phillies Minor League system from 1955-1959. Despite hitting 75 homers and batting .313, the 6’3″, 215-pound first baseman never made it to the Major Leagues.  

At CHS, Dickerson was a four-star athlete, competing in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.

For his Minor League stats, you can click here.

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Information and photo courtesy of Chuck Langerman, local historian