Uganda - 2013

Willie Mays, Dan Bankhead, Stachel paige, Larry Doby

Jackie Robinson, Quincy Trouppe

Uganda stamp issue honoring famous people of African origin - Baseball players

Babe Ruth First Day Cover - Negro Leagues

Jimmy Dean "The Original"

Pitcher - (1946-1950)

Philadelphia Stars

NY Black Yankees

NY Cubans

Willie "Curly" Williams

Newark Eagles (1945-1948)

Houston Eagles (1949-1950)

New Orleans Eagles (1951)

Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (1949-1951)

Chicago White Sox system (1951-1952)

-Colorado Springs

-Toledo, American Association

-Scranton, Eastern League

Carmen Cardinals, ManDak League (1953)

Lloydminster Meridians, Western Canada League (1955-1960)

Lloydminster Green Caps, Northern Saskatchewan League (1961-1963)

Max Manning "Doctor Cyclops" - Pitcher

Newark Eagles (1938-1948)

Jim Walker

Newark Eagles

Jim Cohen "Fireball" - Pitcher

Indianapolis Clowns (1946-1952)

Venezuela (1948-1949)

Wilmer "Red" Fields - Pitcher, Outfield

Homestead Grays (1939-1950)

Branford, Canadian League (1951, 1953-1955)

Toronto, International league (1952)

Fort Wayne (1956-1957)

Mexico City Reds, Mexican League (1958)

Winter Leagues - Venezuela (1950-1952), Puerto Rico (1947-1951), Colombia (1955-1956), Dominican Republic (1953), Panama, Cuba...

Bill "Ready" Cash - catcher

Philadelphia Stars (1943-1950)

Mexican Pacific League (1950)

Brandon Manitoba, Canadian League (1951)

MLB Minor Leagues (1952-1953)

Satchel paige All-Stars (1946)

Bismarck, North Dakota (1955)

Warren Peace - Pitcher

Newark Eagles 1945-1948

The Jackie Robinson stamps was the issued in , to honor Robinson's contribution to "breaking the color barrier". In 1983 the USPS issued a stamp to honor Babe Ruth, and the stamp was issued in Chicago to coincide withe the 50th anniversary of the All-Star game. I had the privilege of being a part of a group that had the stamps shipped from Chicago on the day of issue, to New York, where our group traveled the area to obtain unofficial first day cancels. Along with some friends, Bob and Billy, we went to the Brooklyn Main Post Office to request hand cancels on several covers. After some time the postmaster agreed to our request and had the covers canceled. I choose to add the Jackie Robinson stamp to the covers since both Ruth and Robinson had worn the Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. Ruth served as a first base coach for the last few months of the 1938 season.

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson is probably the most honored player from the Negro Leagues, due to his being the first black player to enter Major League Baseball (1947-1957 Brooklyn Dodgers). Memorabilia ranges from his rookie baseball cards (1948 Bowman and 1948-49 Leaf), programs, comic books, magazines and books, photos, buttons (the yellow border button from my collection) and many other items still being produced.Major League Baseball honored Robinson by retiring his number from all major league teams on April 15, 1997...On the 60th anniversary of Robinson entering the MLB, Ken Griffey Jr requested of Robinson's widow Rachel if he could wear the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day in his honor. The request was granted and extended to all players, which continues to this day.

I am in favor of honoring Jackie Robinson, I don't necessarily agree with every player wearing the number 42. My reasoning is there were many others in baseball who are not getting recognition. Larry Doby gets little mention as the first black to play in the American League, second to Robinson overall. MLB does not honor Native Americans, the first being Louis Socalexis playing in 1897 along with Chief Bender, Jim Thorpe, Zack Wheat and many others. The first Japanese player Masanori Murakami 1964, not followed until Hideo Nomo came in 1995. Esteban Bellan 1871 joined by a long list of players...

Citi Field honored Jackie Robinson by erected his number 42 in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda dedicated 2009. I have been to Citi Field twice (for a baseball game and a soccer game) and I think it is a great park, but I have to wonder why the number 42? Why not a statue or plaque?

I have to question why honor Robinson, when he did not play for the Mets, he played for the Dodgers. Why not honor other members of the Brooklyn Dodgers or the NY Giants, why are we selective in honoring one person? You may disagree, and I am not saying Robinson does not deserve the attention he receives, but let's honor all who are just as deserving. After a while honoring one individual can lose it's appeal and meaning...

In 2006 the US Congress designated May 20, 2006 as Negro League Baseball Day...

2006 the Brewers honored both the Negro Leagues and Hispanic players with Negro Leagues Tribute day and Cerveceros Day...

May 30, 2009 Negro League Day at Kauffman Stadium (KC Royals v Chicago White Sox)

May 2010 Maryland initiates Negro League Day

June 12, 2011 the Frederick Keys celebrated Negro League Baseball by wearing the uniform of the Homestead Grays...

May 14, 2011, the Atlanta Braves giveaway an Atlanta Black Crackers baseball hat...

June 10, 2011 San Diego Padres Salute to the Negro Leagues...

July 9, 2011 Milwaukee Brewers Negro League night, players were Negro League uniforms...

July 15, 2011 Detroit Tigers Negro League weekend and 17th annual Negro League Tribute Game...

July 19, 2011 Buck O'Neill Centennial Celebration - KC Royals...

Excellent site for Jackie Robinson pin-back buttons (baseballpinbackbuttons)

Jackie Robinson - 50th Anniversary Silver Dollar

The 1997 Jackie Robinson Silver Dollar was issued in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Robinson's appearance in a major league baseball game, as the first black player to integrate the league. The obverse of the silver dollar portrays Jackie Robinson sliding into home plate, just as he did in the 1955 World Series game. The reverse of the coin displays the logo of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Inscriptions read two accomplishments for Rookie of the Year 1947 and Hall of Fame induction 1962.

Jackie Robinson page 2

Jackie Robinson, the man who broke the color barrier of Major League Baseball in 1947, when he appeared for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The US Postal Service issued a stamp in honor of Jackie in 1982, I decided since I would not be able to add Jackie's signature to the book, I would take a first day cancer and add the cancel to the book, along with a printing of a linoleum block print I had created for the issuance of the stamp in 1982.