MiLB clubs embrace communities on Juneteenth
Over the past week, Negro League Baseball has had a welcome presence on the Minor League landscape. Teams have taken on alternate identities, worn Negro League-inspired jerseys and welcomed special guests to the stadium in honor of Juneteenth. Declared an official holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery
Over the past week, Negro League Baseball has had a welcome presence on the Minor League landscape. Teams have taken on alternate identities, worn Negro League-inspired jerseys and welcomed special guests to the stadium in honor of Juneteenth.
Declared an official holiday in 2021, Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and freedom for all.
Here's how the rest of MiLB marked the day.
The Triple-A Syracuse Mets took a trip down memory lane by honoring Black players in the club's history.
As we celebrate Juneteenth, let's take a moment to appreciate the legacy of the Black athletes who excelled right here in Syracuse! Here's a look at some of the most significant Black players in Syracuse baseball history 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/d4HDl2Po5S
— Syracuse Mets (@SyracuseMets) June 19, 2023
The Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Astros) welcomed in Black voices from their community to share their stories.
We're honored to amplify Black voices in the community today and every day. Happy Juneteenth! pic.twitter.com/wTnYzib1K4
— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) June 19, 2023
Members of the Single-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs) staff took part in the city's celebration of the holiday.
Juneteenth is a day of celebration and reflection. The Pelicans' staff were honored to join in the City of Myrtle Beach's Juneteenth festivities as part of the unity parade on Saturday afternoon! pic.twitter.com/Z8yM8gdd3x
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) June 19, 2023
Speaking of celebrations, the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets) conducted their own at Mirabito Stadium. Joined by the Binghamton Juneteenth Committee, the team hoisted a Juneteenth flag into the sky.
This weekend, I joined the Binghamton Juneteenth Committee to raise the #Juneteenth flag at the Binghamton @RumblePoniesBB game. Proud to celebrate this important day and honor the history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. pic.twitter.com/iZVmpSCyBO
— Lea Webb (@SenatorLeaWebb) June 19, 2023
Do you hear that? That will be the Sounds of Triple-A Nashville (Brewers) taking batting practice in special Juneteenth warm-up shirts before Tuesday's game.
Today is a celebration of freedom for all.
— Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) June 19, 2023
We continue to listen to our community through initiatives like The Nine and honoring the black players that have allowed baseball to grow.
Design by Elijah Smith pic.twitter.com/p88j9Qflcu
The Triple-A Indianapolis Indians (Pirates) and the Single-A San Jose Giants paid homage to the teams that came before them.
This week at @TheVicIndy, we remember the brave individuals who played ball through segregation.
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) June 19, 2023
Today on Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in the US and will continue the conversation as we progress toward justice for all. pic.twitter.com/gHFkTKvqwy
Happy #Juneteenth! pic.twitter.com/ToT8p4TXAL
— San Jose Giants (@SJGiants) June 19, 2023
Creativity came into play for many MiLB clubs. The Double-A Erie SeaWolves (Tigers), High-A Eugene Emeralds (Giants), Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies), Single-A Bradenton Marauders (Pirates) and High-A Hudson Valley Renegades (Yankees) all designed Juneteenth graphics, some using the traditional Black History colors and some using a clenched fist symbol.
Today we honor and celebrate #Juneteenth, commemorating the freedom of enslaved people in the United States. pic.twitter.com/Uy37IlrgzP
— Erie SeaWolves (@erie_seawolves) June 19, 2023
🌟 Today, we are celebrating the power of freedom and unity this #Juneteenth 🎉✨Join us as we honor the journey of emancipation and embrace the vibrant spirit of equality and progress. Let's continue to create a future where liberation and justice thrive. #RootedHere pic.twitter.com/6GTXTvRTMU
— Eugene Emeralds (@EugeneEmeralds) June 19, 2023
Happy Juneteenth! Today we commemorate an important part of American history and acknowledge the ongoing fight for equality.
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) June 19, 2023
On this day in 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. pic.twitter.com/dHjntOAziU
Today, we celebrate freedom. #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/6DOuAQetAi
— Bradenton Marauders (@The_Marauders) June 19, 2023
Today we Celebrate #Juneteenth2023 pic.twitter.com/3oKPPUzyFF
— Hudson Valley Renegades (@HVRenegades) June 19, 2023
Brendan Samson is a contributor to MiLB.com.