The Chesapeake Baysox Stadium hosted the annual Negro League Legends Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 29, a commemorative event honoring the Black roots of the MLB All-Star Game, where the East All-Stars won 18-6 against the West All-Stars.
A matchup with a mission of honoring legacy, several Maryland leaders were present for the game, including Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan, Fairmount Heights Mayor Akiaba Stewart, Prince George’s County Council member Jolene Ivey, and Dels. Kym Taylor and Denise Roberts.
For some politicians, this was their first time attending the annual game, including Baltimore City Central Committeewoman Monica Cooper, former Annapolis Alderman DaJuan Gay, and LaTasha Ward, who will be sworn in as a delegate in January to represent District 24.
Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller attended the game as a guest of honor and threw out the opening pitch.
“Celebrating the players, pioneers, and trailblazers who made the Negro Leagues an essential part of American history. This year’s East/West Vintage Baseball Game also honored the Women of the Negro Leagues — players, managers, and owners whose stories deserve to be told,” Miller wrote in a social media post. “Thank you to Dwayne Sims and the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame for keeping this history alive. Play ball!”
