Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick had a busy day on Saturday. First, he introduced the Negro Leagues 101 initiative, which coincides with the 101st anniversary of the Negro Leagues. Later that evening, Kendrick had a virtual conversation with actor/author Taye Diggs about the Negro Leagues. The conversation lasted almost an hour and was moderated by FOX-4 Kansas City film critic Shawn Edwards.
Diggs, who is currently in the CW series “All American,” has known Kendrick for several years through social media. Diggs said when he visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum the first time, he was overwhelmed by the depth of the leagues' story.
“I was embarrassed that I haven’t been at the museum more,” Diggs said. “I feel that happens a lot in African American history. It’s kind of easy to forget this type of history. Once I was reminded of this type of history, I said, ‘This is crazy. How come I haven’t brought my son here?’ After I finished feeling guilty … I was standing there and it felt good to be surrounded by that [Negro Leagues] spirit."
Because of the popularity of the museum, both Diggs and Kendrick are confident that a successful TV series could be made about the Negro Leagues.
“The Negro Leagues are entertaining in its own right,” Kendrick said. “I tell people all the time, some great writer is going to come to Kansas City. [He or she] is going to take some of these stories that are just jumping off the wall and we are going to get that TV series done. I have every confidence that it is going to happen. I sure hope they make old Bob the executive producer.”
Added Diggs, “From working in television, you are able to go deeper into all of the stories, all the characters. With this rich history, you don’t want to try to shove it into a two-hour [movie]. This is a series that could go on for years. We need that and now we are in the position to really do it.”
The conversation then led to Kendrick talking about the history of the Negro Leagues. There was discussion about Rube Foster creating the Negro National League in 1920. Kendrick proudly talked about Effa Manley, who was part owner of the Newark Eagles from 1935-48. Manley did more than own the Eagles -- she was in charge of the team’s business operations. It was her show. Kendrick revealed that the late Penny Marshall, who directed “A League Of Their Own” and starred in the hit 1970s series “Laverne and Shirley,” was on tap to direct a film about Manley, but it didn’t happen because Marshall passed away in 2018.
Kendrick was proud of the fact that the museum received a contribution from the Marshall estate. Marshall willed her Negro Leagues collection to the museum. The collection included a bat crafted by Lyman Bostock Sr., a former Negro Leaguer and the father of former Major League outfielder Lyman Bostock Jr.
The Marshall collection also includes signed photographs, baseball programs and other publications, as well as several unique posters of Reece “Goose” Tatum as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. Tatum was also a star in the Negro Leagues, notably with the Indianapolis Clowns.
“The collection is significant, but it was made more significant by the person who gave it to us. That is really special,” Kendrick said.
Kendrick ended the conversation by telling Diggs he would be getting a replica 1942 Satchel Paige jersey from the NLBM.
“That’s what I was looking for,” said a grateful Diggs.
Fans can visit the NLBM on East 18th Street, between Vine and Highland, just across from the Gem Theater in Kansas City. There will be limited hours (11 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday) and increased sanitizing every day, and occupancy will be limited to 150 to 200 people at a time.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a privately funded, nonprofit organization; annually renewing memberships to support the museum are available ranging from $25 to $1,000. Membership includes free admission for the year, a 10% discount on merchandise from the NLBM Extra Inning Store and advance information on special events. Members also receive a gift and additional benefits at each level of support.