A look at late season Negro League tributes

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Negro League promotions have long been a staple in Minor League ballparks around the country. But this year’s The Nine initiative (named for Jackie Robinson’s number in his lone Minor League season) has resulted in more than ever before. Many Negro League celebrations took place earlier this season, including Fresno taking the field as the Tigers, Bradenton playing as the Nine Devils and Indianapolis paying homage to the Clowns.

And there are more on the way, so here’s a look at several ballpark tributes which have recently taken place, or will be taking place soon.

Bowie Baysox – Mitchellville Tigers, August 27

The Baysox have long staged Negro League nights featuring historical displays and appearances from former players (I attended one in 2018). The Orioles Double-A affiliate suited up as the Mitchellville Tigers for this year’s iteration, paying homage to a local sandlot team that operated from 1946 into the early 1970s. These jerseys were auctioned off online, with proceeds benefiting the Josh Gibson Foundation.

Check out the Negro League Game Worn Jersey Auction! Tonight the Baysox will wear jerseys honoring the Negro League's Mitchellville Tigers from Mitchellville, MD!

Jerseys are up for bid now thru 9/6. Proceeds benefit Josh Gibson Foundation.

Auction: https://t.co/fR8efRW0do pic.twitter.com/gbOjs9p1o7

— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) August 27, 2022

Frisco RoughRiders – Dallas Black Giants (multiple dates, most recently September 7)

On Wednesday, September 7th, the RoughRiders suited up as the Dallas Black Giants for the third and final time this season. Ernie Banks was once a member of this celebrated squad, which the RoughRiders describe as having “played host to an entertaining, loud, fast-paced style of baseball synonymous with Negro League legends of the time.” This past February, Frisco team president Victor Rojas appeared on the MiLB.com “Show Before the Show” podcast to talk about how the Black Giants identity was brought back to life. LISTEN HERE.

We’re taking the field as the Dallas Black Giants of the Negro Leagues for the final time this season. #NewProfilePic | #DallasBlackGiants pic.twitter.com/c0L0APu4KA

— Dallas Black Giants (@RidersBaseball) September 7, 2022

Wilmington Blue Rocks – Judy Johnson Appreciation Night (September 10)

The first Delawarean elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame was William Julius “Judy” Johnson, a third baseman who was a core part of the powerhouse Hilldale Club teams of the 1920s. Johnson, nicknamed Judy because his Hilldale teammates thought his style of play resembled Negro League outfielder Judy Gans, was born in Maryland but moved to Wilmington at the age of five. A statue of Johnson stands prominently outside the Blue Rocks’ home of Frawley Stadium; on the inside, the playing field is named after him. This year’s iteration of the team's annual Judy Johnson Appreciation Night takes place on Saturday and features a commemorative baseball giveaway. For much more information on this Wilmington legend, visit the Blue Rocks’ “Legacy of Judy Johnson” page.

#OTD in 1899, Negro League Legend, Baseball Hall of Famer and long-time Wilmington resident, Judy Johnson, was born. Today we remember one of the all-time greats and the man that the playing field at Daniel S. Frawley Stadium is named for. pic.twitter.com/fICAESTzew

— Wilmington Blue Rocks (@WilmBlueRocks) October 26, 2021

Mississippi Braves – Atlanta Black Crackers, September 17

The M-Braves’ homage to the Atlanta Black Crackers has decidedly not been as simple as the ABC acronym on the team’s uniforms. It was originally scheduled for the 2020 season that eventually wasn’t, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues. It was then put on hold amid the uncertainty of 2021, and this year it has been rained out twice (on August 20 and then again on September 3). The Black Crackers, who shared a ballpark with the Southern Association’s Atlanta Crackers, played throughout the 1920s and 30s. The M-Braves long-delayed homage -- now re-re-re-rescheduled for September 17 is in partnership with Jackson State University, a historically Black institution.

🔥 🔥 🔥 pic.twitter.com/S7qpLDf322

— Mississippi Braves (@mbraves) September 3, 2022

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