Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City, MO
Filed under Kansas City
Homestead Grays Team Photo, 1913
“Satchel Paige was the best and fastest pitcher I’ve ever faced.” –-Joe DiMaggio, recalling the time he faced Paige as part of his tryout for major league baseball. DiMaggio went 1 for 5 against Paige.
“The only change is that baseball has turned Paige from a second class citizen to a second class immortal.” –Paige, after the major leagues integrated in the late 1940s and finally allowed him in – at age 42.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum chronicles the compelling story of segregated baseball, from the founding of the Negro National League just a few blocks away in 1920, until Jackie Robinson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs, signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The museum chronologically charts the progress of the Negro Leagues with informative placards and interactive exhibits. Its walls are lined with pictures of players, owners, and officials of Negro League baseball from the Negro National League of 1920 through the Negro American League, which lasted until 1960. As one progresses through the exhibit, one moves forward through the history of Black baseball. In one area of the museum, there are lockers set up for some of the legends of the Negro Leagues. One can see game-worn uniforms, cleats, gloves, and other artifacts from stars such as Josh Gibson, the “Black Babe Ruth.”
By far the most impressive aspect of the museum, however, is the Field of Legends. Separated from the visitor at the entrance by chicken wire, it is accessible only at the end of the tour. One can walk onto a field adorned by nearly life-sized bronze statues of twelve figures from Negro League history.
The museum resides in the 18th and Vine District of Kansas City, the hub of African-American cultural activity in Kansas City during the first half of the 20th century. Within the same building is the American Jazz Museum, celebrating Kansas City’s likewise vibrant jazz scene during that same time period.
Address: 1616 East 18th Street, Kansas City, MI 64108
Phone: 816-221-1920
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