Patriots To Play As New York Black Yankees As Part Of Negro Leagues Tribute Event On 8/30
Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, will play as the New York Black Yankees as part of a tribute event to the historic Negro Leagues team on Friday, August 30th. The Patriots take on the Reading Fightin’ Phils at TD Bank Ballpark at
Bridgewater, New Jersey – The Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, will play as the New York Black Yankees as part of a tribute event to the historic Negro Leagues team on Friday, August 30th. The Patriots take on the Reading Fightin’ Phils at TD Bank Ballpark at 6:35 pm with postgame fireworks presented by PSE&G.
The Tribute to the New York Black Yankees is in conjunction with Minor League Baseball’s “The Nine” initiative, a Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.
Named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946, “The Nine” connects MiLB teams’ existing, Black-community focused development efforts with new national programming and future special events in a coordinated and centralized campaign.
Introducing the New York Black Yankees. On August 30th, we will honor the historic Negros Leagues team by playing as them in brand new jerseys created to pay tribute!
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) February 20, 2024
🗞 | https://t.co/Gbv2xdt662 pic.twitter.com/363sw3ypJP
Auction ends 8/31 at 9:00 pm.
The Patriots will rebrand as the New York Black Yankees with players and coaches wearing jerseys and hats with logos specifically created to honor the Black Yankees and give the historic team their own identity.
Despite playing in uniforms that resembled the Yankees, or used uniforms from the major league Yankees, the New York Black Yankees never had a true brand identity to call their own.
The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off online from August 23 to August 31 to benefit the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM), a partner of the team’s New York Black Yankees initiative. SSAAM tells the story of the unique culture, experiences, and contributions of the African American community of the Sourland Mountain Region. To learn more about SSAAM, visit: ssaamuseum.org.
Yankees great Willie Randolph will be on hand to throw out a ceremonial as part of the celebration.
The first 2,000 fans that enter the ballpark will receive a special card strip featuring four Black Yankees players that have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame – John Henry “Pop” Lloyd, George “Mule” Suttles, Willie “The Devil” Wells and Leroy “Satchel” Paige.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a special pre-game on-field ceremony beginning at approximately 5:45 pm that will include presentations and speeches from Hinchliffe Stadium, Prince Rodgers Foundation, SSAAM and more.
TD Bank Ballpark will be adorned with banners on the main concourse depicting the history of the Negro Leagues and the Black Yankees. Partners of the event that will have a presence on-site include PSE&G, Family Flava, SSAAM, Prince Rodgers Foundation, Charles J. Muth Museum at Hinchliffe Stadium and 40+ Double Dutch Plainfield.
Roaming the concourse of the ballpark, fans can find the 6th Regiment United States Colored Troops Re-enactors, which is a non-profit living history organization with the purpose of educating the public about the historic military contributions of African Americans during the country's formative years.
In addition, Rays of Hope will feature a Live Black Museum throughout the concourse, featuring several notable Black historical figures including Satchel Paige, Frederick Douglass, Jay-Z, Michelle Obama, Maxwell, Queen Latifah, and Hattie McDaniel, where fans will be able to walk up to the students portraying these figures to learn more about them.
Enjoy performances throughout the game from the 40+ Double Dutch Club Plainfield, which is a unified sisterhood that exists to empower women in mental health and physical fitness, all while inspiring them in friendship, fitness, fun and fellowship.
During the game, fans will be entertained with themed scoreboard elements and music by Black artists.
Family Flava Food Truck and Catering will be providing soul food items for fans to purchase at the game. Menu items include lemon pepper & honey BBQ wingettes, mac & cheese, peach cobbler, sweet potato pies, uptowns, BBQ brisket bowl with mac & cheese and seasoned green beans & potatoes.
For more information, or to purchase tickets for the Tribute to the New York Black Yankees, please visit somersetpatriots.com.
About the Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are the New York Yankees Double-A Affiliate and develop today’s top minor league talent into the pinstriped superstars of tomorrow for MLB’s winningest team. The Patriots 2024 season is presented by New Jersey Office Systems, LLC. Home games are played at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ, where fans of all ages and levels of baseball fandom get to enjoy the unique experience that is minor league baseball. To learn more, visit: somersetpatriots.com.