The Athletic is honoring Black History Month with a series of stories about pioneering subjects making an impact in sports.



Asked when they knew, everyone references the same two games.



East Central Community College, located in Decatur, Miss., opened its 2013 baseball season with a doubleheader against Southwest Tennessee. ECCC’s starting shortstop — after much cajoling from head coach Neal Holliman — was sophomore Tim Anderson, and he immediately let everyone know this season was going to be unique.



“First day he comes out and just absolutely tears the cover off the ball,” former East Central second baseman Kalik May said.



Anderson’s 2013 season began with seven hits in eight at-bats, led by a pair of triples and a stunning show of power from his scrawny 6-foot-1, 180-pound frame.



“Three home runs,” former East Central outfielder Terrance Steele said. “One to left, one to center, and...