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League with several of the same teams that played While many may know about and recognize
in the original Negro National League, providing the accomplishments of Jackie Robinson, Willie
African American players new opportunities for Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ernie Banks, these and
earning a living while playing a sport they loved. other Hall of Famers got their start in the Negro
It was Jackie Robinson’s integration into the Leagues before going on to Major League
major leagues in 1947 that was the eventual Baseball stardom. The Museum shares not only
undoing of negro baseball, as African American their stories but those of such lesser-known but
players now saw new opportunities for their no less influential African American players
future. The remaining Negro League teams as “Rube” Foster, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell,
generally folded by the 1960s. Satchel Paige, and John “Buck” O’Neil,
Folded … but not forgotten. among others.
For those unable to travel to Kansas City,
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum the Museum has created five uniquely different
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum national traveling exhibitions that offer
(NLBM) in Kansas City, Missouri, was estab- interesting and entertaining perspectives on the
lished in a one-room office in 1990 with the scope and magnitude of the professional Negro
mission to preserve and celebrate the rich history Baseball Leagues and their impact on the social
of African American baseball and its profound advancement of America.
impact on the social advancement of America.
Since that time, it has become one of the most Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen poses with Moving Forward
important cultural institutions in the world for a statue of Josh Gibson at the Negro Leagues Keeping the Museum’s mission alive is still
its work to give voice to a once forgotten chapter Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Gibson was one based on “hope and a prayer,” but with the help
of baseball and American history. In July of of the greatest players in Negro Leagues History. of some new partnerships, new fundraising
2006, the NLBM gained National Designation opportunities are on the horizon.
from the United States Congress earning the In July of 2021, Music City Baseball’s
distinction of being “America’s National Negro Leagues Baseball (MCB) Music Industry Advisors partnered with the Museum,
Museum.” It is located two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where Adidas, Topps Trading Cards, and the Fluent Group to launch an
Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro National League in 1920. exclusive new series of Stars rookie cards and jerseys to honor former
“The story of the Negro Leagues is a story of America at her worst, Negro Leagues players. MCB’s Music Industry Advisors include:
but also at her triumphant best,’’ said Bob Kendrick, president of the Kane Brown, Luke Combs, and Willie Jones. Advisors and former
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum since 2011, on the occasion of the Negro Leagues players are featured on the cards; the advisors are
League’s 100th Anniversary. “From the ashes of American segregation rocking their Nashville Stars Adidas jerseys, and the back of the card
rose this triumphant conquest, and it’s all based on one simple describes a Negro League story or player that most resonated with
principle: ‘If you don’t let me play with you, I’ll create a league of each advisor.
my own.’”
With no initial endowment, the Negro League Museum initially
sprung from what Kendrick calls “hope and a prayer.’’ “In its early
days, former Negro Leaguers wrote out personal checks to help pay
the rent.” Today, more than two million visitors have toured the
Museum’s over 10,000 square feet of multimedia exhibition space
that chronicles the history, heroes, and stories of the leagues from
their origin after the Civil War to their demise in the 1960s.
The NLBM is a self-guided tour experience comprised of
video presentations and memorabilia. Text panels, hundreds of
photographs, artifacts, and several film exhibits are integrated with a
timeline of baseball and African American history to tell the stories of
the times as well as the players. As the centerpiece of the NLBM, the
Coors Field of Legends features 10 life-sized bronze sculptures of
Negro Leagues greats positioned on a mock baseball diamond as if
they were playing a game. A documentary film narrated by actor
James Earl Jones tells the story of the leagues with vintage film
footage. The Hall of Fame Lockers pay tribute to the Nego Leaguers
who have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Visitors take the field with the Negro Baseball League all-stars. This final display
is a fan favorite at the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

In November, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the
United States Mint unveiled the Negro Leagues Centennial
Commemorative Coins to honor the 100th anniversary in 2020 of
the Negro Leagues. The commemorative coins are scheduled to be
issued in 2022 and will be of no cost to taxpayers. According to the
official press release, “after the U.S. Treasury has recouped all its costs
for designing and minting the coins, funds will be distributed in
support of the NLBM … The coins could generate as much as
$6 million in support of the NLBM.”
These types of collaborations could be a real game-changer for the
Museum and its important mission to preserve and share the African
American experience and influence on America’s greatest pastime.
Learn more about the Museum and the stories it tells at
An exhibit of jerseys and hats from Negro Leagues teams www.nlbm.com.

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