Any Fans of the Negro Leagues Out There?

[marzoumanian]

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/magazine/negro-leagues-baseball-stats-mlb.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

This article from today's NY Times is long, yes, and starts out a bit dry BUT it is well worth reading until the end. If nothing else, please check out the incredible photos. The one that blew me away is toward the beginning of the piece. It's a shot of Hank Aaron as an 18-year-old in front of a train station, heading to start play for the Indy Clowns. Like, wow. There are other great Negro League photos in this piece too. Check them out. At the end of the piece you get some eye-opening (disturbing?) comments from Commissioner Landis about integration in baseball. Well worth digesting, IMHO.

[Kidnapped18]

Great article and awesome pics Mark...thanks for sharing!

Tony

[BobbyStrawberry]

Wow, this is great! Thanks for the post.

[36GoudeyMan]

Great article! The pictures are pretty well known in the circle of Negro League fans, but its nice to see them get some more mainstream attention, especially during Negro League 101 celebrations.

Not every aspect of and story about the Negro Leagues needs to be about the politics and racism that forced the insane segregation of these players and their teams and leagues. Sometimes (not always, but sometimes) its actually OK to just look at them and appreciate their play, their skills and talents, their achievements, etc., for the pure joy of the game and respect for their contributions.

What baseball did to itself, purposefully, perversely, can never be undone. The stain of segregation in baseball will never be washed away. Every step into the light for these greats of the game is a step in the right direction, and long overdue.

[Leon]

+1 on the great article. And a postcard on point...

https://luckeycards.com/gilck2.jpg

[bcbgcbrcb]

Photos look like a recap of recent Hake’s Auctions.

[Exhibitman]

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/miscellaneous4/websize/1949%20Luke%20Easter%20photo.jpg

Artie Wilson in San Diego PCL 1949. When the records integrate he will be the last .400 hitter.