Honoring Black baseball's rich and storied history
When Jackie Robinson made his debut as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in Spring Training of 1946, his jersey number was not the 42 he'd come to be associated with. That spring in Daytona Beach, and throughout the ensuing season with the Triple-A Montreal Royals, he wore number
When Jackie Robinson made his debut as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in Spring Training of 1946, his jersey number was not the 42 he'd come to be associated with. That spring in Daytona Beach, and throughout the ensuing season with the Triple-A Montreal Royals, he wore number 9. This inspired the name of Minor League Baseball's The Nine initiative, dedicated to honoring the Negro Leagues and the history of Black baseball in general. It also inspired this article.
Throughout the country, at every level of play, Minor League teams have staged tributes to their city's Negro League and Black baseball history. Here are, you guessed it, nine examples.
Asheville Blues (Asheville Tourists, High-A affiliate of the Houston Astros)
McCormick Field, home of the Asheville Tourists, is celebrating its centennial in 2024. The Asheville Blues, members of the Negro Southern League, played their games there from the mid-‘40s through the mid-‘50s, winning back-to-back titles in 1946-47. The Tourists took the field in updated Blues uniforms in 2023, and Blues’ pennant flags were placed atop McCormick Field.
Austin Black Senators (Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers)
The Round Rock Express, who play in a suburb of Austin, annually celebrate the Austin Black Senators. The team played in a variety of contexts over the course of a half century, sometimes affiliated with a Negro League and sometimes operating independently. In addition to wearing Black Senators uniforms, the Express pay tribute to the team’s star players. Chief among them is Willie Wells, whom fellow Negro League star Cool Papa Bell called “the greatest shortstop in the world.”
Fresno Tigers (Fresno Grizzlies, Single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies)
Not much is known about the Fresno Tigers, who competed in the six-team West Coast Negro League in 1946. The Grizzlies, seeking to educate fans about this chapter of their city’s baseball history, played a game as the Tigers in 2022. There weren’t any photos of the Tigers in action, so the Grizzlies created logos and uniforms based on a modern interpretation of what the team might look like.
Memphis Red Sox (Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals)
With a franchise history spanning four decades and across three Negro Leagues – including time in circuits now recognized as Major League – the Memphis Red Sox count on their all-time roster Hall of Famers Turkey Stearnes and Bill Foster, as well as Dan Bankhead and country star Charley Pride. The club’s Lewis Park (later Martin Stadium) was one of the few stadiums owned by a Negro League team. The Redbirds are set to pay homage to the Red Sox on Aug. 10.
The New York Black Yankees (1932-1948) played in the Negro Leagues in uniforms handed down by the Yankees, without a brand identity to call their own.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) February 20, 2024
Our tribute to the Black Yankees introduces a uniform and branding designed to honor the team's place in baseball history. pic.twitter.com/mrudXve4KC
New York Black Yankees (Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees)
Formed in 1931 and members of the Negro National League from 1936 to 1948, the New York Black Yankees were a force to be reckoned with. Star players over the years included Ted “Double Duty” Radcliffe, Mule Suttles and, perhaps inevitably, Satchel Paige. The team played at Yankee Stadium for portions of its existence, often wearing uniforms resembling those of the American League club. The Patriots, seeking to give the team an identity of its own, have created Black Yankees logos and uniforms.
Page Fence Giants (Lansing Lugnuts, High-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics)
Bud Fowler was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022, but he remains among baseball’s most undercelebrated figures. In 1878 he became one of the first pro Black ballplayers, often competing with and against otherwise all-white teams. When racism pushed him off multiple clubs, Fowler pioneered the organization of (and managed) Black teams, including the Page Fence Giants, who drew enormous crowds throughout the Midwest in the 1890s. The Lugnuts plan to don Page Fence Giants unis annually and have given out Bud Fowler bobbleheads.
Salt Lake Occidentals (Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels)
The Occidentals were formed in Salt Lake in 1906 and quickly established themselves as one of the best teams in the western United States. They joined the otherwise all-white Utah State League in 1908 and the following season took home a league championship. When the Salt Lake Bees played as the Occidentals last season, they did so wearing uniforms that were inspired by contemporary newspaper accounts.
T-Town Clowns (Tulsa Drillers, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers)
Beginning in 2010, the Tulsa Drillers have staged an annual tribute to the T-Town Clowns, a semi-pro entity that competed from 1946-65. Last season’s homage was particularly special, as the team’s players took the field in T-Town Clowns uniforms for the first time. The Drillers’ home of ONEOK Field is located in Tulsa’s Greenwood District, a prosperous neighborhood known as “Black Wall Street” that was decimated by a horrific race massacre in 1921. Any tribute to Black baseball provides an opportunity to educate fans about the larger history of the area.
Wichita Monrovians (Wichita Wind Surge, Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins)
The Monrovians, originally known as the Black Wanderers, were a dominant semi-pro team that debuted in 1922. They posted ads in newspapers offering to play any team that was willing to take them on; this approach was most dramatically illustrated in 1925, when they defeated a team comprised of members of the Ku Klux Klan. The Wind Surge suited up in orange Monrovians uniforms in 2023, and their onsite history museum features displays related to the team.
Bears Bounce Back in 6-5 Win over Thunder
TRENTON, NJ – The West Virginia Black Bears defeated the Trenton Thunder by a score of 6-5 at Trenton Thunder Ballpark on Friday evening. West Virginia put up six runs on seven hits with the heart of the Black Bears’ order accounting for all five RBI. Starting pitcher Cobe Reeves
West Virginia Falls to Williamsport in the Series Finale at The Mon
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped the first home series to the Williamsport Crosscutters after losing game three, 12-7, at Monongalia County Ballpark on Thursday evening. Despite holding a four-run lead through four innings, West Virginia allowed ten runs in the final frames, including five in the
The Bears Drop Game Two in 13-1 Loss to Crosscutters
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – After the closely contested game on Opening Night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears lost to the Williamsport Crosscutters, 13-1, on Wednesday night at The Mon. The Bears’ bullpen allowed 13 runs on 16 hits – including two innings of four or more runs.
West Virginia Pulls Ahead of Williamsport for Second Straight Win
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In another comeback victory, the West Virginia Black Bears beat the Williamsport Crosscutters, 6-5, on Opening Day at Monongalia County Ballpark on Tuesday night. Exactly nine months to the day since their last meeting in the MLB Draft League Championship game, West Virginia overcame the deficit in
Low-Scoring Game Leads to Bears’ Game Three Loss
NILES, OH – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped game three to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field on Saturday evening by a score of 7-1. Held to two hits, the Black Bears were unable to jumpstart their offense, while costly miscues at the plate allowed the Scrappers to
The Bears Bounce Back for First Win of the Season
NILES, OH – The West Virginia Black Bears captured their first win of the season in a 16-4 blowout of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field. West Virginia put on a show in front of a packed crowd on Friday night, scoring two or more runs in five of
West Virginia Black Bears Announce First-Half Roster on MLB Draft League Opening Day
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears today announced the official roster for the first half of the MLB Draft League season. The initial roster features four members of the West Virginia University baseball team – Caleb McNeely, Dayne Leonard, Tevin Tucker and Kevin Dowdell – along with Morgantown
Mon County Ballpark hosts local high schools in Class AAA Regional finale
May 22, 2023 - The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce they will be hosting game three of the Class AAA Region 1 baseball series between cross-town rivals Morgantown High School and University High School. In coordination with Monongalia County Commission and West Virginia University, the Bears will
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West Virginia Black Bears Announce 2023 Promotional Schedule
March 14, 2023 - With Opening Day at Monongalia County Ballpark less than three months away, the West Virginia Black Bears today released their preliminary 2023 Promotional Schedule. Packed with fireworks dates, multiple giveaways and new theme nights, this summer promises to be full of fun for the entire family!
Four Black Bears Named to National Rosters for World Baseball Classic
February 10, 2023 – With the World Baseball Classic returning for the first time since 2017, four former West Virginia Black Bears will represent their countries in the international competition beginning Wednesday, March 8. From 2021’s inaugural MLB Draft League team, Mitchell Bratt will represent Canada, while 2022 players Branden
David Carpenter named West Virginia Black Bears Manager
February 7, 2023 – The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce David Carpenter has been appointed manager of the Black Bears for the 2023 MLB Draft League season. The West Virginia University alum and former Major League pitcher joins the organization as the sixth manager in Black Bears
Black Bears Announce Food Drive to Benefit Pantry Plus More
January 24, 2023 – The West Virginia Black Bears are proud to announce they’re stepping up to the plate to combat hunger in the Greater Morgantown community with “The Bear Necessities for a Good Cause” food drive benefiting Pantry Plus More. The food drive begins Wednesday, February 1 and ends
West Virginia Black Bears begin defense of MLB Draft League Championship on June 1, 2023
October 18, 2022 – Just five weeks removed from capturing the 2022 MLB Draft League Title, the West Virginia Black Bears are thrilled to announce another season of summer baseball at Monongalia County Ballpark with the release of the 2023 season schedule. The 80-game season, which begins on the road
2022 MLB Draft League Champions: The West Virginia Black Bears Defeat the Williamsport Crosscutters 10-6 in Championship Game at Monongalia County Ballpark
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In the most exciting game of the season, the West Virginia Black Bears captured the MLB Draft League Championship with a 10-6 victory over the Williamsport Crosscutters on Tuesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. With two big innings, the Black Bears completed the comeback after trailing by
West Virginia Wins Its Final Regular Season Home Series with 6-3 Victory over Frederick
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – In the last regular season game at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears took the game and the series from the Frederick Keys in a 6-3 win on Thursday night. The Bears, who scored in four consecutive innings, solidified their win over the Keys with
The Bears Bounce Back with 5-1 Game Two Win over the Keys
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – After dropping the first game of the series in sudden death to the Frederick Keys, West Virginia bounced back with a 5-1 win on Wednesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. The Black Bears bullpen held the Keys to two hits and no runs through five innings of
West Virginia Unable to Hold On in Sudden Death Thriller Against Frederick
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears lost the first game of the series to the Frederick Keys in sudden death on Tuesday evening at Monongalia County Ballpark. After holding a four-run lead heading into the seventh, Frederick tied the game with four scored in the top of the
Bears Get Blanked in 14-0 Loss to the Scrappers
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears dropped the last game of the series against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in a 14-0 loss on a hot Sunday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark. After West Virginia put up 16 runs the previous night, Mahoning Valley returned the favor with 14
Black Bears Batter the Scrappers in 16-9 Game Two Victory
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – The West Virginia Black Bears took down the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in a huge 16-9 win at Monongalia County Ballpark on Saturday evening for Military Appreciation Night. On another big offensive night, the Black Bears drove in 16 runs on 12 hits including a home run by
West Virginia Scraps Mahoning Valley in 5-1 Win
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – On Fan Appreciation Night at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears provided their fans with a show as they took down the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5-1 on Friday evening. After a rain delay cleared the teams off the field, the Bears returned to drive in
West Virginia Drops the Series Finale in 11-8 Loss to Frederick
FREDERICK, MD – The West Virginia Black Bears lost the series finale against the Frederick Keys at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium on Thursday evening. After winning the first two games with powerful offensive performances, the Bears could not overcome an early deficit and ended the game down 11-8.
Seven Shutout Innings and Four Home Runs Lead Black Bears in 7-3 Win over Keys
FREDERICK, MD – In the second game of the series at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, the West Virginia Black Bears put on a clinic against the Frederick Keys, winning by a score of 7-3 on Wednesday evening. The Bears offense led with four home runs over the course
Black Bears Bounce Back with 9-3 Victory Over Keys
FREDERICK, MD - After finishing their last home series with a loss, the West Virginia Black Bears bounced back on the road at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, beating the Frederick Keys 9-3 on Tuesday evening. The Bears bats started off hot in the first as CF Turner Hill
West Virginia drops series to Mahoning Valley with 8-2 Loss
GRANVILLE, W.Va. – On a Sunday afternoon showdown at Monongalia County Ballpark, the West Virginia Black Bears dropped the game and the series to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers with the 8-2 loss. After starting pitcher Luke Eldred and the West Virginia defense retired the side to begin the game, the