The Nationals will honor the Homestead Grays and the Negro Leagues on June 16, when Washington faces off against the Kansas City Royals, in a day that will feature giveaways, commemorations and a panel that emphasizes the importance of remembering history and celebrating legacy.
“It’s great to highlight the Negro Leagues here in the nation’s capital,” said Dwayne Renal Sims, founder of the Negro League Legends Hall of Fame (NLLHOF). “Addison Scurlock Studio captured the games played at Griffith Stadium when the Homestead Grays of Pennsylvania, also recognized as the Washington Grays, played a portion of their games at the stadium.”
The pre-game panel, moderated by Denise Rolark Barnes, will also feature:
- Doug Foster: the great-nephew of Andrew “Rube” Foster, founder of the Negro National Baseball League and grandson of Bill Hendrick Foster, a Hall of Fame Negro Leagues pitcher and known as being the greatest left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues.
- Bob Luke: author of six books about the Negro Leagues, including several biographies and the history of how the Orioles became an integrated team.
- Jamall McKay: league director of Banneker City Little League and head coach of Howard University’s Club Baseball team.
“Events like the panel discussion hosted by our publisher Denise Rolark Barnes help honor both the painful history of segregation and the resilience and excellence that persisted despite it,” said Ra-Jah Kelly, Washington Informer chief technology officer.”
Tuesday’s programming continues efforts from the Washington Nationals and MLB to honor the Negro Leagues. Last year, the Nationals honored all-time home run king Josh Gibson with a bobblehead giveaway. The legendary slugger played catcher for the Grays, including during their many games at D.C.’s Griffith Stadium. Today, a statue of Gibson sits outside of Nationals Park.
Earlier this year, the Nationals partnered with D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and the Josh Gibson Foundation to host nearly 1,000 eighth grade students for a monthslong curriculum focused on the record-setting athlete and the history of the Grays that concluded in early May.
“What I hope students gain is learning about history and the ability to make meaningful real-world connections,” said Raymond Hamilton, DCPS director of Social Studies. “By analyzing primary source documents like Babe Ruth’s and Josh Gibson’s contracts, students can develop an understanding that these were real people connected to this city and baseball; demonstrating that there are other ways to be civically engaged around the city, whether in the classroom or at a baseball game.”
Ra-Jah Kelly, The Informer’s chief officer of technology, said the media organization is excited to partner with the Washington Nationals to honor baseball excellence.
“As Washington, D.C., prepares for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations, Negro Leagues Night serves as an important reminder that not long ago, some of America’s greatest athletes were still excluded from full participation in society because of segregation,” said Kelly. “The inclusion of Negro League statistics in Major League Baseball is a meaningful way to honor players whose excellence was overlooked for far too long.”
For more information, go to washingtoninformerevents.com.
