Negro League Baseball 100th Anniversary

Aug 16, 2020

Major League Baseball honored the 100th Anniversary of Negro League Baseball. All players and umpires wore the above patch on they jerseys to commemorate the event. The original date to wear the patch was June 27 had to be moved to Aug 16 due to the implications of the COID-19 virus 

The Negro Leagues established in 1920 was the first structured league that lasted for an extended period of time. The logo used was a derivative of the official logo created by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, located in Kansas City, Mo

Patch worn on a Kansas City Royals jersey

Major League Baseball

 

Lester Lockett - page 27

Lester Lockett

Birmingham Black Barons 1938, 1941-46

Baltimore Elite Giants 1947-49

Cincinnati Buckeyes 1940

Chicago American Giants 1942, 1950

Cincinnati-Indianapolis Clowns 1946

"Playing in the 1945 All-Star game, to be seen by 43,000 people and just to be selected to the All-Star team..."

Also played in Canada and South America

1951 Farnham, Provincial League, Canada

1952 Winnipeg, Mandak League

1953 Carman, Mandak League

3-time Negro League All-Star 1943, 45, 48...Batting in the heart of the order for Birmingham and Baltimore hit for averages of .328, .315, .408, .249, .300 1941-45 and .313 and .386 1947 and 1948...

Lockett could hit for power or steal a base and his versatility was utilized in the field, especially at 3rd base...

Negro League Baseball page 1

The opening page of the book provides some information on the development of the Negro Leagues..

Negro League Baseball

When I first heard there was going to be a memorabilia show featuring over 60 Negro League Baseball players, June 21-22, 1997, I knew I had to go. The show was held at a hotel in Secaucus, NJ With the league's demise in the 1950's, I knew there would be a point in time when there would be no players living. Therefore the time was right to put together a special collection. I decided to purchase a sketch book, have the ballplayers sign a page to which I would later add information and draw an appropriate sketch.

I found a sketch book that utilized a beige colored paper, instead of white. I would then draw all my sketches in brown and orange inks to give the book a old-time feel. I also asked the players what there favorite memories of playing were and added them to the page with their signature, for a more personalized touch.

While I was collecting the autographs JC Hartman's wife inquired if I was going to get the book published. That was not my intention, however with this blog, I am publishing the book.

At the time I worked on this book, getting information or photos of players from the Negro Leagues was difficult. Dial-up internet, non-existant books at the library. It was a struggle so some data may be missing from the players in this book.