Michael Munger makes the case that capitalism was a large contributor to the end of segregation in baseball.

Rickey was frustrated by his inability to sign quality players — at least at the price he was willing to pay — and by his inability to win pennants. Further, he was convinced that the flagging attendance at Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field could rebound if he could sell tickets to African American fans. Further, the skills of the black players, using almost any measure of offense or defense, were consistently higher than those of white players for the same level of salary. Remember, all that is really necessary is that the best black players be better than the worst white players, given the difference in salary. If competition were to be allowed, and if black athletes were allowed a level playing field, racism would have to yield to the cold facts of wins and losses.

www.aier.org

It’s a very interesting read. Along similar lines, I would suggest Brushing Back Jim Crow, about the desegregation of the southern minor leagues.