Kendrick emphasizes Negro Leagues legacy at Hank Aaron Invitational (2024)

July 29th, 2024

Kendrick emphasizes Negro Leagues legacy at Hank Aaron Invitational (1)

Melanie Martinez-Lopez

Participants of The Hank Aaron Invitational listened attentively to Bob Kendrick as he recounted the showdown between Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson during the 1942 Negro Leagues World Series. The drama and the competition quickly made the story a favorite among the group.

"Satchel Paige was the truth," he said. "Negro League World Series, [Paige] walked the bases loaded to face the most feared hitter in all of baseball [Gibson] -- and struck him out on three pitches after telling him what he was going to throw."

It was one of the many narratives that Kendrick, the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, shared with the participants as the leadoff guest speaker during the first week of the ninth annual invitational at the Jackie Robinson Complex in Vero Beach, Fla., from July 23-26.

The event -- formerly known as the “Elite Development Invitational” -- is designed to serve as a youth-oriented, on-field diversity initiative that aims to get high school-age players with diverse backgrounds to the next levels of the game. Along with developing their skills on the diamond, competitors receive mentorship and inspiration from the program's educational component.

Along with sharing stories about Paige and Gibson, Kendrick also shared stories about Aaron’s beginnings before playing in the Majors.

"To be part of this event, helping people understand that [Aaron’s] illustrious professional baseball career began in the Negro Leagues,” Kendrick said, "... he is an example of the talent that called the Negro Leagues home."

Through telling the history of the pioneers from the Negro Leagues, Kendrick created a foundation for the participants to understand the impact the Leagues had on modern-day baseball and in greater society, as an extension of the civil rights movement.

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"Bob is like a historical walking encyclopedia when it comes to the Negro Leagues and the history of African-American players in this game,” said Del Matthews, MLB’s vice president of baseball development.

The impact of the Negro Leagues surrounds the event, which draws its name from the influence of the Hall of Fame slugger. The different teams involved are also named after other key figures from the Leagues.

Kendrick helped to provide a deeper perspective.

Perseverance. Excellence. Breaking Barriers ‼️

This is the Hank Aaron Invitational #HAI2024 🌟 pic.twitter.com/u31fcyfEQG

— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) July 29, 2024

"When we talk about the history of the Negro Leagues, we are also talking about the history of this country,” he said. “It represents America at her worst, but it also represents America at her triumph. To me, that’s what makes the story of the Negro Leagues so awe-inspiring, so compelling."

"To have the Negro Leagues be such a prevalent part of this kind of conversation is exciting for me," Kendrick continued. "[I hope] to relate and help them understand their place in this game, particularly as both African-American and Hispanic athletes. Their legacy in baseball is entrenched in the Negro Leagues as it relates to this country and I get to convey that and share that."

He embodied the passion of his subject matter as he spoke, and the message resonated with the participants -- who were invited from different programs and groups including the MLB Youth Academy, Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program, Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, USA Baseball, the Buck O'Neil Scouts Association, and MLB Clubs & Scouts. The significance of the narratives held their weight.

Write this down 📝

When Reggie Smith speaks at the Hank Aaron Invitational, you know everyone is locked in 🔒@MLBDevelops | #HAI2024 pic.twitter.com/tgWd3teaAy

— USA Baseball Develops (@USABDevelops) July 29, 2024

"I love the stories he put out for us today,” said Javon Johnson, a right-handed pitcher who will be Draft-eligible in 2027. “It’s more than just searching it up on the internet and reading from an article. It’s someone talking to us, someone telling us firsthand the story."

"My biggest takeaway is that we are the next generation of baseball players, so we have to keep passing on this information in history so we never forget it,” said Braylon Hubbard, a shortstop who will be eligible for the Draft in '28.

The invitational will continue with Week Two, which began on Sunday and will continue through Thursday. The top 44 players from the second week will be invited to play in a showcase game at Truist Park as part of "Hank Aaron Week" hosted by the Braves. The event will include a variety of diversity- and culture-focused initiatives focusing on business networking, celebrating the nostalgic history connected to Aaron's legacy, philanthropy, education, and social justice.

Kendrick emphasizes Negro Leagues legacy at Hank Aaron Invitational (2024)

FAQs

What was the importance of the Negro Leagues? ›

Most importantly, the creation of the Negro Leagues proved that Black players could play on even terms with their white counterparts – and draw just as much interest from baseball fans.

What is the Hank Aaron Invitational? ›

The Hank Aaron Invitational, hosted by MLB and the MLB Players Association, is powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) and is the premier diversity-focused baseball development experience for diverse high school-age baseball players in the United States.

How did Hank Aaron help integrate the minor leagues? ›

His career started in 1952 with the Negro Leagues' Indianapolis Clowns, playing three months as an 18-year-old before the Milwaukee Braves signed him into their organization. He helped to integrate the minor leagues, as he, along with four other Jacksonville teammates, broke the Sally League's color barrier in 1954.

How did the Negro baseball league economically impact African Americans during the 1930s and 1940s? ›

ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BLACK BASEBALL

Nearly full employment due to the war effort once again gave many African Americans disposable income. For the first time in more than a decade, teams consistently made money, and attendance was at an all-time high.

How has the legacy of the Negro Leagues been honored and commemorated in recent years? ›

It was hours before Rickwood Field hosted its first Major League Baseball game, as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Giants 6-5. The game, which MLB called “A Tribute to the Negro Leagues,” was meant to honor the legacy of Mays and other Black baseball greats who left an enduring mark on the sport.

What was the Negro League summary? ›

Negro league, any of the associations of African American baseball teams active largely between 1920 and the late 1940s, when Black players were at last contracted to play major and minor league baseball.

Why is Hank Aaron significant? ›

For more than three decades, Hank Aaron has been best known for hitting more home runs than any other baseball player in history. However, the baseball icon also spoke out against pervasive racism in major league baseball and broke racial barriers throughout his career.

Who did Hank Aaron play for Major League Baseball? ›

Considered one of the greatest baseball players in history, he spent 21 seasons with the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves in the National League (NL) and two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers in the American League (AL). At the time of his retirement, Aaron held most of the game's key career power-hitting records.

Why is there a Hank Aaron Award? ›

The Hank Aaron Award is awarded annually to the best overall offensive performer in each league. The award was introduced in 1999 to mark the 25th anniversary of Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record. A panel of Hall of Famers will combine with a fan vote to determine the winners.

What Negro League did Hank Aaron play for? ›

That number isn't going to change, although Aaron did play about three months with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues in 1952, discovered while playing in Mobile, Alabama.

What lesson did Hank Aaron learn? ›

The lessons of perseverance, grit, and focus are not just what got Aaron in the record books. They're also how he touched so many lives off the field. It was his character that connected everything he did.

What was Hank Aaron's goal? ›

His Chasing the Dream Foundation, which was founded in 1994, began with the goal of awarding 755 scholarships to underprivileged students – a tribute to Aaron's 755 career home runs. But it has since surpassed that number, providing more than 1,000 students with financial assistance.

Was the Negro League good? ›

As Negro League historian Todd Peterson noted when he made his case a few years ago, the Negro Leaguers were the only ones to consistently beat White major leaguers, who dominated squads of semi-pro, college and minor leaguers.

What happened to the Negro Leagues? ›

The Negro National League folded after the 1948 season when the Grays withdrew to resume barnstorming, the Newark Eagles moved from New Jersey to Houston, Texas, and the New York Black Yankees folded. The Grays folded one year later after losing $30,000 in the barnstorming effort.

Which innovation did the Negro Leagues introduce before it was adopted in Major League Baseball? ›

1) Night baseball

Five years before any white Major League club played under the lights, the Negro Leagues were already tapping into the practicality of night baseball.

Why was the Negro movement important? ›

These forces converged to help create the “New Negro Movement” of the 1920s, which promoted a renewed sense of racial pride, cultural self-expression, economic independence, and progressive politics.

Why was the Negro world important? ›

Negro World also played an important part in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. The paper was a focal point for publication on the arts and African-American culture, including poetry, commentary on theatre and music, and regular book reviews.

Why was the National Negro Business League important? ›

The National Negro Business League promoted business and economic development within the African American community as an avenue to equality. The League was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1900 by Booker T.

What was the significance of the Afro American League? ›

The first Afro-American League (AAL) was established in 1887 before changing its name, two years later, to the National Afro-American League (NAAL). The focus of the league was to obtain full citizenship and equality for African-Americans.

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