BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox, in collaboration with the City of Boston, Meet Boston, the Boston Public Library, and Office of the Arts at Emerson College, announced today a free exhibit from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, “Barrier Breakers: From Jackie to Pumpsie” at Emerson College located at 118 Boylston Street in Boston. A grand opening of the exhibit will be held on Juneteenth Monday, June 19 at 10 a.m.
“Barrier Breakers” tells the story of the Negro Leagues and the strong-willed, dedicated athletes who refused to accept the notion that they were unfit to share in the joys of the national pastime. The exhibit shares the stories of players who integrated Major League Baseball teams, from Jackie Robinson joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 through to Elijah “Pumpsie” Green completing the integration cycle 12 years later with the Red Sox.
The exhibit will be on display from June 19 through August 4 at Emerson College, and available to the public seven days a week from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Groups looking to schedule a visit can call Meet Boston at (617) 867-8218.
In support of the exhibit, the Boston Public Library will host a series of conversations on the history of the Negro Leagues and how they shaped modern professional baseball. On June 26 at 6 p.m., former Red Sox executive and current WooSox President, Dr. Charles Steinberg, will be interviewed by BPL trustee Ben Bradlee Jr. On July 11 at 6 p.m., former Red Sox pitcher Dennis “Oil Can’’ Boyd, whose family members played in the Negro Leagues, will be interviewed by BPL trustee and Emerson College professor Jabari Asim. These conversations will take place at the BPL’s Rabb Hall. A third conversation will be announced shortly.
Community partners in support of “Barrier Breakers: From Jackie to Pumpsie” include: The Boston Childrens Museum, Red Sox Foundation, Boston Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriff's Department, CVS, Boston Area Church League, Worcester WooSox, Cheers of Boston, Roberto Clemente 21 Sports Program, Viola Goodman Sports Program, Carter American Legion Post (Dorchester), Trinity Church of Boston, Greater YMCA, Black Nativity of Boston, Boston Praise Radio, Boston Parks and Recreation, Massachusetts Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ, The Eliot Congregational Church, The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, Good Shepherd Church of God in Christ, Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, The Bay State Banner, El Mundo Boston, and Dorchester Reporter.