Recap of Negro Leagues Anniversary Celebrations
On Sunday, the Orioles joined Major League Baseball in a league-wide celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues.
Interview with Bob Kendrick
The Orioles began their celebration with an extended interview between Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick and Orioles broadcaster Rob Long, as the pair discussed the historical significance of the Negro Leagues to the game of baseball and the Baltimore community. The 22-minute conversation premiered on the Orioles YouTube channel and aired on MASN later that day.
Birdland Community Heroes
Additionally, the Orioles connected the legacy of the Negro Leagues with present-day organizations that serve our communities by honoring James Mosher Baseball president William Neal and coach Walt Douglass with the Birdland Community Heroes award. In recognition of William and Walter, the Orioles Charitable Foundation will be making a $2,500 donation to James Mosher Baseball. Learn more about Neal and Douglass here.
Virtual First Pitch
Ray Banks, co-founder of the Hubert V. Simmons Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball, threw out the virtual first pitch. The museum, located in the Owings Mills Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, was founded in 2009 by Banks and former Negro Leagues player Hubert V. "Bert" Simmons. The museum administers projects designed to educate, advocate and generate widespread interest surrounding the Negro Leagues, and create an awareness of the Leagues’ cultural, social and economical impact.
Panel Discussion with Dwight Smith, Jr.
Additionally, the Orioles Community Development hosted a virtual panel discussion via Zoom between Banks, advisory board member of the Hubert V. Simmons Museum Dr. Robert Hieronimus, and Orioles outfielder Dwight Smith, Jr. The focus of the discussion was the history of the Negro Leagues and its impact on the game today. Questions for the speakers were provided by students and players from the Boys & Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore and James Mosher Baseball and Softball.
Broadcasters Tip Their Cap
MASN and Orioles Radio Network announcers wore Baltimore Elite Giants caps during Sunday’s broadcasts, tipping their caps to honor the anniversary. The Elite Giants were one of two Negro Leagues teams to play in the city of Baltimore, calling the city home for 13 seasons from 1938-50. Throughout the entire season, Major League players, coaches, broadcasters and several celebrities have participated in the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s "Tip Your Cap" gesture in commemoration of the 100th anniversary, with the goal to inspire hope, open minds and encourage unity.
Negro Leagues Jersey Patch
As part of the league-wide celebration, players, coaches, umpires and other on-field personnel wore a symbolic Negro Leagues 100th anniversary logo patch on the left chest of their on-field uniforms during the game. The logo, a derivation of the official logo created by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, was also featured on the base jewels and lineup cards.
Eddie Murray Joins MASN Broadcast
National Baseball Hall of Famer and Orioles legend Eddie Murray called into the MASN broadcast during the game to discuss the importance of the Negro Leagues.
Summer Slugger Challenge
To further educate the youth and raise awareness of the Negro Leagues, the Orioles created a Summer Slugger curriculum called the "Baltimore Elite Giants Challenge" that focuses on the history of the Negro Leagues in Baltimore. Students who research the Baltimore Elite Giants and submit a short essay on what they have learned will be rewarded with an autographed photo of Dwight Smith, Jr.
Summer Slugger is a fun, interactive, online course that uses the game of baseball to help kids ages 8 to 11 maintain their math and literacy skills during the summer months. Major League Baseball and EVERFI have teamed up to create a platform that keeps kids learning while they are out of school and helps them avoid the “summer slide” that contributes to a long-term achievement gap. To register your child for the Summer Slugger and to learn more about the program, please visit SummerSlugger.com/Orioles.