Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience

Black baseball players, shut out of the major leagues in the late 19th century, organized their own baseball clubs, and starting in the 1920s, formed their own leagues. This exhibition tells the story of Negro League baseball and how it grew into a multi-million dollar enterprise and became the focus of great pride in the African American community. Players like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and James “Cool Papa” Bell, and teams like the Chicago American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, St. Louis Stars, and Pittsburgh Crawfords drew enthusiastic crowds, developed a reputation for a fast-running, power-hitting game, and paved the way for the integration of the sport.

Visit the Pride and Passion page for a schedule of events, resources, photographs, articles, and more dealing with this fascinating time in baseball history.

Details
Pride and Passion Exhibition
Central Library
May 1 - June 11, 2010