Negro Leagues Baseball Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1990 |
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| Location | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Type | Professional sports |
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) is a special place in Kansas City, Missouri. It's all about keeping alive the amazing history of Negro league baseball in America. This museum opened in 1990 in the historic 18th & Vine District. This area was a lively center for African-American culture in Kansas City many years ago. The NLBM even shares its building with the American Jazz Museum!
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum was started in 1990. A group of former Negro league baseball players helped create it. These players included Alfred Surratt, Buck O'Neil, Larry Lester, Phil S. Dixon, and Horace Peterson.
The museum began in a small, single room. It was located in the Lincoln Building on 18th & Vine Streets. In 1994, it moved to a bigger space, about 2,000 square feet. Just three years later, in 1997, the museum moved again. Its new home was a huge, purpose-built building. This new space was 10,000 square feet, five times bigger than before!
A special showing of the movie 42 happened in Kansas City. This film is about Jackie Robinson's life. Jackie played for the Kansas City Monarchs before he broke baseball's color barrier. The movie showing was on April 11, 2013. It was a fundraiser to help the NLBM. The famous actor Harrison Ford was there to support the event.
The museum faced some tough times in 2008. But it bounced back with strong new leaders. Bob Kendrick became the President in 2011. By 2012, the museum was doing very well. It made a profit of $300,000. This was its best year since 2007. In June 2019, the museum won a big award. It received the Gold American Award for Nonprofit Organization of the Year. This award came from the American Business Awards.
Exploring the Exhibits
The museum shows the history of the Negro leagues step by step. It has cool signs and interactive displays. The walls are covered with pictures of players, team owners, and officials. These photos show the history from the Negro National League (1920) to the Negro American League (which lasted until 1962). As you walk through, you move forward in time.
One part of the museum has lockers set up for famous Negro league players. You can see uniforms they wore in games. There are also cleats, gloves, and other items. You might see things from stars like Josh Gibson. He was known as the "Black Babe Ruth" because he hit so many home runs!
The Field of Legends
A really amazing part of the museum is the Field of Legends. When you first enter, it's separated by a fence. You can only walk onto it at the end of your visit. On this field, you'll see nearly life-sized bronze statues. There are twelve figures from Negro league history.
- Behind the plate is Josh Gibson. He was one of the best hitters ever. People say he hit over 80 home runs in one season!
- At first base is Buck Leonard. He's another player in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played with Gibson on the Homestead Grays.
- At second base is John Henry Lloyd.
- At shortstop is Judy Johnson.
- At third base is Ray Dandridge.
- In the outfield are Cool Papa Bell, Oscar Charleston, and Leon Day.
- On the pitcher's mound is Satchel Paige. He's probably the most famous Negro leaguer of all time. He became a rookie in the major leagues when he was 42 years old in 1948!
- At the plate is Martín Dihigo. He's the only player in the Halls of Fame in three countries: Mexico, Cuba, and the United States.
- Other statues honor Rube Foster. He started the first Negro National League.
- You'll also see Buck O'Neil. He was a former Kansas City Monarch. He was also on the museum's board until he passed away on October 6, 2006.
On November 13, 2012, Buck O'Neil's family gave two special items to the museum. This was to celebrate what would have been his 101st birthday. They donated O'Neil's Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award was given to him after he passed away by President George W. Bush. They also gave a small copy of the Buck O'Neil statue. The original statue is at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. These items are shown in a special area of the NLBM dedicated to Buck O'Neil.
The Geddy Lee Collection
On June 5, 2008, Geddy Lee made a big donation. He is from the Canadian band Rush and loves baseball. He gave nearly 200 autographed baseballs to the NLBM. These baseballs have signatures from players like Hank Aaron, Cool Papa Bell, and Lionel Hampton. At the time, Geddy Lee's gift was one of the largest donations the NLBM had ever received!
Museum Awards
Each year, the museum gives out special awards to honor players and others. Here are some of them:
- Oscar Charleston Legacy Award – For the "Most Valuable Players" in the National (NL) and American (AL) leagues.
- Pitcher of the Year – For the best "Pitchers of the Year" in the NL and AL.
- Leroy "Satchel" Paige Legacy Award (2000–2005)
- Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award (2006–present)
- Larry Doby Legacy Award – For the "Rookies of the Year" in the NL and AL.
- Hilton Smith Legacy Award – For the "Relievers of the Year" in the NL and AL.
- Walter "Buck" Leonard Legacy Award – For the batting champions in the NL and AL.
- Josh Gibson Legacy Award – For the "Home Run" leaders in the NL and AL.
- James "Cool Papa" Bell Legacy Award – For the "Stolen Base" leaders in the NL and AL.
- Charles Isham "C. I." Taylor Legacy Award – For the "Managers of the Year" in the NL and AL.
- Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award – For the "Executives of the Year" in the NL and AL.
- John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Legacy Award – This award recognizes "Baseball and Community Leadership."
- Sam Lacy Legacy Award – For the "Baseball Writer of the Year."
- Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award – For "Career Excellence in the Face of Adversity."
- John "Buck" O'Neil Legacy Award – This award goes to a person or company for "Outstanding Support of the NLBM."
- Hall of Game Award – For former Major League Baseball stars.
