The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is one of the latest organizations to receive support from Dave Portnoy’s Barstool Fund. Located in Kansas City Missouri, “the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is a privately funded, not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its profound impact on the social advancement of America,” per the NLBM website.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy called NLBM president Bob Kendrick to tell him the news.
Kendrick became the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president in 2011. He has been with NLBM since 1998. Speaking on NLBM, Kendrick had this to say:
It is such a special place. It really is. And as I mentioned…I think our place is maybe more important right now than ever before. We need to identify with these kinds of stories, and I think it helps us bridge the gap because it creates commonality.
And I’ve said, Dave, on many occasions, the Black experience in this country is a unique one. But I don’t want the only image of me to be the downtrodden side of my plight in this country. You also need to see my success stories, and the Negro Leagues is one of those great American success stories.
To me, that’s where commonality comes. When we can create commonality, we create better understanding and sensitivity. And I think that’s what we see happening with our children every single day. I think that’s why this place is so important.
There aren’t very many of these players still left. They are dying off – they are like World War II vets. We don’t want to lose this. We can’t afford to lose this.
Bob Kendrick, Negro League Baseball Museum President
The Negro Leagues
The Negro Leagues operated from 1920 to 1948, providing an opportunity for Black baseball players to play professionally. Major League Baseball was not desegregated until 1947.
Just last month, MLB announced that they would be elevating the seven Negro Leagues to Major League status. This involves recognizing the statistical achievements of over 3,000 players who played Negro League baseball. Such recognition was long overdue and should excite any baseball fan. Personally, I would encourage any and all baseball fans out there to support the mission of NLBM by educating themselves on the history and impact of Negro League baseball.
2020 marked the 100th Anniversary of the Negro Leagues. MLB celebrated this anniversary during last season.
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