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2004 Events (ARCHIVED):

January 20 - February 13, 2004 (KANSAS CITY, MO) - "Monarchs of KC," the new musical at Theatre for Young America, shows the ghosts of Negro Leagues Baseball returning to play one last all-star game against their greatest foe: prejudice. Kansas City singer/songwriter Danny Cox plays Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League in Kansas City, who comes back from baseball's great beyond to manage the imaginary dream team.  Playwright/director Gene Mackey's script is steeped in Negro Leagues history, with appropriate emphasis on the hometown Kansas City Monarchs. "Monarchs of KC" will be performed from Jan 20-Feb 13, 2004 at Theatre for Young America, 5909 Johnson Drive, in Mission. Tickets cost $6.50 (group rates available); call (913) 831-2131. January 22 - July 11, 2004 (LOUISVILLE, KY) - Art show looks at Negro Leagues. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's exhibit "Shades of Greatness" is making its national debut through July 11 at the Louisville Slugger Museum, 800 W. Main St. The exhibit, the first collaborative professional art exhibition inspired by Negro Leagues baseball, features nearly 40 original works of art created to interpret the leagues experience both on and off the playing field. The Slugger Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays (year round) and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays (April through November). Admission is free for ages 5 and younger, $3.50 for ages 6-12, $5 for ages 60 and older, and $6 for others. Admission will be free on Saturdays in January and February for area residents. For more information, call 502-588-7228. February 7, 2004 (SEGUIN, TX) - The fifth annual "Smokey" Joe Williams Scholarship Banquet will be held on Saturday evening on February 7, 2004 at the Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum. Seguin, Texas is the hometown of "Smokey" Joe Williams, and five years ago a scholarship fund was established in his honor. Special guests include Monte Irvin of the Newark Eagles and New York Giants, and John "Mule" Miles of the Chicago American Giants.  For more information, contact Mark Gretchen with the City of Seguin at 830-401-2427. February 8, 2004 (SALEM, MASS) - In honor of Black History Month, the National Park Service in Salem, Mass will present a program celebrating the history of the Negro Leagues, which served as the outlet for African-American baseball players before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. "Jackie Robinson and the Teams of the Baseball Negro Leagues," will be offered at 3 p.m. on Sunday 2/08/2004 at the Salem Regional Visitor Center, at 2 New Liberty St. Also during the remainder of this month, a traveling exhibit detailing the history of the Negro Leagues will be at the visitor center. For more, contact Bruce Jones at 978-740-1663. February 14, 2004 (BALTIMORE, MD) - Baltimore's Negro Leagues & a Tribute to Ernest Burke - Saturday, February 14, 2004, 12noon at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. Join former Negro League players Bert Simmons and Joe Durham as they recall their playing days in the Negro Leagues. The program will also feature a tribute to Ernest Burke, the former Negro Leaguer who passed away January 31, 2004, with remembrances by WBFF's Tony Pagnatti and NLBPA.com’s webmaster, Bert Orlitzky. February 16, 2004 (CINCINNATI, OH) - College of Mt. Saint Joseph 1 p.m. Feb. 16, "Oh, How They Lived. Stories of the Negro Baseball League"  Information: Multicultural Development Office at (513) 244-4414. March 6 - April 24, 2004 (KINGSTON, N.Y.) - Father-Son artists exhibit of Negro League artwork in Kingston, N.Y. - John D. Wolfe and his son John A. Wolfe will exhibit "A Figurative Legacy" at The LivingRoom on Saturday March 6 and runs through April 24. The show includes paintings and prints with themes such as jazz, war, colonial and latin history and Negro Leagues baseball.  The LivingRoom, 45 N. Street, Kingston NY 12401. Tel. 845-338-8353. Exhibit: March 6 - April 24, 2004. Gallery Hours Thursdays 12-6 Fridays & Saturdays 12-9 johnsonshows.com April 10, 2004 (MARYLAND / VIRGINIA / D.C.) - The Greater Washington, DC Black Memorabilia & Collectible Show will be held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg, Maryland from 10am to 7pm. The admission is $5 and the show is all indoors. Several former Negro League baseball players will to attend and sign autographs. There will be free parking and good food. For more information, please visit www.johnsonshows.com or call(301)216-0876. June 5, 2004 (BOWIE, MD / BALTIMORE / VIRGINIA / D.C.) - The Bowie Baysox 3rd Annual Tribute to the Negro Leagues - Saturday, June 5 - 7:05 pm at Prince George's Stadium, home of the Bowie Baysox, Class AA Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Log onto www.baysox.com for updated information or call (301) 805-6000. There will be a replica Negro League Cap giveaway to the 1st 1,500 fans and a silent auction of Baysox Game worn replica Negro League Jerseys that night. June 13, 2004 (KANSAS CITY, MO) - Royals Annual Salute to the Negro Leagues on Sunday, June 13; Kauffman Stadium, Monarchs Caps/Pepsi-Cola (First 20,000), 1-800-6ROYALS June 23, 2004 - (READING, PA) FirstEnergy Stadium – The Reading Phillies will celebrate “African-American Heritage Night” with a Tribute to the Negro Leagues on Wednesday, June 23 when they play host to the Harrisburg Senators at 7:05 PM at FirstEnergy Stadium. The first 2,000 fans 14 and under will receive a Marlon Byrd bobble-head doll. July 10, 2004 (HOUSTON, TX) Tim Lacey, son of the late "Hall of Fame Sports Writer" Sam Lacey will conduct a round table discussion with Negro Leagues Baseball legends and members of the media. Negro League Legends will tell their story to the community at 6pm (SAT.) at the Barnett Sports Complex, 6800 Fairway, Houston TX 77087 July 11, 2004 - 6:30 pm, Awards Ceremony honoring the outstanding accomplishments of the Negro Leagues Baseball Legends. Evening includes special guest, a short historical video, five course meal and live jazz entertainment. at Sheraton Houston Brookhollow, 3000 North Loop West Houston , TX 77092. July 18, 2004 (NEWARK, NJ) - Sunday, here at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark. We will be hosting Larry Doby Day, where we will be retiring his #14 Eagles Jersey in a pregame ceremony. Any questions or for more information, please contact Charles O'Brien @ 973 848 1000 x164 or online at www.newarkbears.com. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 and the pregame festivities will begin at 1:05 July 20, 2004 (NORFOLK, VA) - The city of Norfolk will honor baseball's Negro Leagues with events July 20 featuring four Norfolk natives who played, as well as legendary player and coach Buck O'Neil. O'Neil will be joined by Norfolk natives Sam Allen, Claude Cousins, Walt Lundy and Thomas Burt. The events begin with a luncheon at the Harrison Opera House. The Norfolk City Council will honor the men with special proclamations Tuesday afternoon. On Tuesday night, they will be guests of the Norfolk Tides norfolktides.com. July 22 thru 25, 2004 (CLEVELAND, OH) - The 7th annual Jerry Malloy/Negro Leagues Conference will be from Thursday 7/22 to Saturday 7/24 with optional events on Sunday 7/25. Registration information is as follows: Registration cost is $50 per person. There are additional fees for the luncheon on Saturday, July 24 ($25 per person) and the July 23 Indians' game ($12 per person). The fee for all three events is $80 per person.  For more info, contact Bob Zimmer, Baseball Heritage Museum [phone: 216-566-8177 or 866-863-2255] July 23, 2004 (KINSTON, N.C.) - The Kinston Indians mark the fifth year the K-Tribe will honor Carl Long with a day at Grainger Stadium. July 25, 2004 (JOLIET, IL) - Sunday’s Negro League Tribute, with the JackHammers and T-Bones wearing the Negro League uniforms, will feature four former Negro League players signing autographs at Silver Cross Field including Johnny Washington, Charles Johnson, Hank Presswood and Ernest Westfield. July 29-31, 2004 (DETROIT, MI) - The DETROIT TIGERS host their second annual Negro League Weekend - Thusday, July 29 to Satuday, July 31. Be a part of the 3 day Celebration at Comerica Park honoring the some of the great Negro League Players of the past. For more information or to order tickets please call Katie Corbett in the Community Affairs Dept. at 313-471-2172. Players will have an autograph seesion Friday, July 31. 2004. Cecil Kaiser, Ron Teasley, Alton King, Harold "Bebop Gordon", Mel Daniels, Marvin Jones, Joe Douse, William Barnes, and Bill Moore are some of the invitees. August 7, 2004 (BOWIE, MD / BALTIMORE / VIRGINIA / D.C.) - Fireworks! Negro League Tribute 7:05: This Tribute to the Negro League is rescheduled from June 5, which was a rainout. The tribute will feature as many as 15 former Negro League players who will be available for autographs while they keep their legacy alive. There is even talk that these players will have a home run derby before the game. Special Baysox hats will be given away before the game and the Baysox players will auction off their tribute jerseys after the game. Fireworks will end this blast of a night with a bang. August 7, 2004 (BROOKLYN, NY) - The Brooklyn Cyclones are hosting a Negro League Tribute on Saturday, August 7th. The Cyclones want to honor the Negro League players who never truly received the national recognition for being the great athletes they were. Good tickets to Saturday's game are still available by calling 718-507-TIXX or going online at www.brooklyncyclones.com. August 13 & 14, 2004 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Ground Breaking, Negro League Legends Hall of Fame & Museum.  Sat. 8/14/04, 11:00 a.m. 913th 12th street, N.E., Washington, D.C. For more info or visit http://www.negroleaguelegendshalloffame.org or read press release by clicking here. August 15, 2004 (DURHAM, N.C.) - The Durham Bulls will hold the annual Negro League Night celebration 8/15 Sunday, beginning at 3 p.m. and continuing through the Bulls' game against the Charlotte Knights, which is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. The event will begin with children from the Raleigh-Wake, Durham and Burlington-Graham chapters of Jack & Jill of America Inc. visiting with 30 former Negro League players in the Diamond View Building. In addition, players from all of Durham's Negro Barnstorming teams, as well as Negro Major Leagues players, will be on hand for photos and autographs. Then, the ballpark gates will open at 3:45 p.m. for the premier of "Only the Ball was White," a 30-minute documentary on the history of the black baseball leagues. At 4:45 p.m., all of the Negro League players attending the event will be introduced during a pre-game ceremony, including N.C. Central University Hall-of-Famer Willie Bradshaw, a pitcher for the Durham Rams, Eagles and Colts; and William Wilder, a pitcher for the Indianapolis Clowns and Raleigh Tigers. The special events will continue with the Bulls and the Knights wearing authentic replica jerseys from the Negro Major Leagues during the game. August 21, 2004 (WILMINGTON, DEL.) - Saturday, 7:05PM. Blue Rocks vs Lynchburg. Judy Johnson Night - A Tribute to Negro League Baseball, On-field Photo Night - Compliments of Fuji Film - Fans will be permitted on field for pre-game pictures with players. CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT. September 2, 2004 (PHILADELPHIA, PA) - BLACK TIE AFFAIR, Thursday, 6:30 to 10:30 PM, Mann Music Center for the Performing Arts. 52 Street and Parkside Avenue, Phila. PA.  A fundraiser for the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park.   Many dignitaries, including Pennsylvania Governor Rendell, baseball officiates, business leaders and politicians will be among the many guests. Spotlighted are five members of the Philadelphia Stars baseball team: Bill Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Stanley Glenn, Harold Gould and Wilmer Harris. Gould is a resident of Deerfield Township. The Philadelphia Stars Memorial Park is a tribute to the Negro Baseball Leagues, specifically the Philadelphia Stars, who played at the Belmont and Parkside Avenues ball field. The Memorial Park will become a historic tourist destination, attracting sports enthusiast with an interest in the legacy of Negro League Baseball and the Philadelphia Stars. The Memorial Park is the first in a series of possibilities to commemorate the history of black baseball in the area, including a proposed Philadelphia Stars Museum. Gala tickets start at $300, with sponsorship levels up to $5000. For more information, call Miller Parker at the Business Association of West Parkside at (215) 879-8500. September 25, 2004 (OAK PARK, MICHIGAN) - Autograph signing, Saturday Sept 25th BETWEEN 1:00 PM AND 4:00 PM Negro League Baseball Legends at Tony Dee’s, 8126 W 9 MILE RD between Livernois and Rosewood (Wyoming) Oak Park, MI. 48237, (248) 543-3810. FOSTER GRAHAM of the Birmingham Black Barons, HERB WALKER of the Indianapolis Clowns and Featuring MAMIE “PEANUT” JOHNSON, female pitcher for the Indianapolis Clowns. AUTOGRAPHS ARE $5.00 FOR FOSTER AND HERB AND $7.00 FOR MAMIE (PRICE IS, PER AUTOGRAPH SIGNED). WWW.TONYDEEsNEGROLEAGUE.COM September 26, 2004 (ALSIP / CHICAGO, ILL) - The three below mentioned former Negro League players did not have grave markers on their graves, and through contributions by many, grave markers have been purchased for them and there will be a Memorial Dedication Ceremony observed. The Memorial Dedication Ceremony for James "Jimmie" Crutchfield, John Donaldson and James "Candy Jim" Taylor will be held Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 12:00 p. m. at Chicago Burr Oak Cemetery, 4400 West 127 th Street, Alsip, Il. 60803. Refreshments will be served. popsballyard.org October 1 thru 3, 2004 (ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.) - 12th Annual Pop Lloyd Weekend Celebration. OCT 1 at Richard Stockton College, Symposium featuring Negro League Veterans, Olympic & NFL Athletes. OCT 2 at Trump Taj Mahal, Humanitarian Awards & Annual Pop Lloyd Dinner.  OCT 3 at John Henry Pop Lloyd Stadium, Atlantic City Community All Star Game. cemetery.state.tx.us October 5, 2004 (AUSTIN, TX) The Texas State Cemetery will unveil a monument to Willie Wells, a Negro League All Star in the 20s and 30s, on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. John “Buck” O’Neil, chairman of the Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City, will give the dedicatory address. Many local sports legends and public officials will be on hand to dedicate this monument. The Huston-Tillotson Choir will be singing the National Anthem. For more information about the ceremony contact Jason Walker, Historian, Texas State Cemetery, (512) 463-8304. Read news report of this event... Anacostia Museum October 23, 2004 (WASHINGTON, DC) Bring your family and friends to meet two authors, Cheryl Robinson and Paula Hines Lonergan and the subjects of their books, Al Burrows, a Negro League player, and Paul “Doc” Hines, a Coach of the T.C. Williams High School Titans on October 23, 2004 at 1:00 pm at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture.  The Anacostia Museum is located at 1901 Fort Place, SE, Washington, DC and admission and parking are free. The museum offers an opportunity to meet and greet the authors and the athletes, as well as purchase their autographed books. Cheryl Robinson’s book, A Forgotten Negro League Star: A Personal Look at Al Burrows, tells Al Burrows’ story of playing baseball in the Negro League—a short time for the New York Black Yankees and later playing for the Indianapolis Clowns—while ultimately being denied the opportunity to join a Major League organization, because of the color line drawn by segregation. The in-depth interviews with Negro League players and fans tell a story often unheard in African American history. The book contains a lot of Negro League trivia, a list of Negro League teams by state, a list of surviving Negro League players and black baseball facts that are not so well known. Groups of 10 or more should make reservations, call the Anacostia Museum at (202) 287-3382. Pumpsie Green October 23, 2004 (EL CERRITO, CA) Former Negro League player Gentry Jackson and Pumpsie Green, the first African American player signed by the Boston Red Sox, will attend "Diversity in baseball, then and now," sponsored by the El Cerrito Human Relations Commission, is open to the public and runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane. October 30, 2004 (BALTIMORE, MD) - The Leon Day Foundation presents it's first annual, "Unsung Heroes" Black Tie Gala Reception & Silent Auction, Saturday ,October 30, 2004 from 7:00 pm to 11 pm at The Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute & Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St., Baltimore, Md. 21201. Enjoy exotic food stations catered by Skillitz Caterers, live jazz entertainment, and bid on dozens of fabulous silent auction items. $85 per person. This is a fundraising event to help raise funds for the Leon Day Living & Learning Center, to help support our existing programs & for the Leon Day Scholarship Fund. For more information or to R.S.V.P. please contact Tonya Thomas at 410-624-6055 or visit LeonDayFoundation.org November 4, 2004-December 9, 2004 (PRINCESS ANNE, MD) - NEGRO LEAGUE EXHIBITION COMES TO UMES. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Mosely Gallery hosts “On the Shoulders of Giants: Celebrating the Negro Leagues” November 4 – December 9, 2004.  During the opening reception from 4 – 6 p.m. (ONLY on November 4), Negro League veterans Bill “Ready” Cash and Howard Gould will sign autographs.  Cash, catcher for the Philadelphia Stars in the Negro Leagues (1943-50) and player in the Mexican, Canadian and minor Leagues (1950-53), sits on the Board of Directors for the Negro League Baseball Players Association.  He was famous for a strong arm and dead accuracy. Gould was a right-handed pitcher who played for the Gouldtown, a town named after a family member, New Jersey baseball club from 1942-1946. In 1946, he went on to play for the Philadelphia Stars and then on to the Farnham Club of the Canadian Provincial League in 1949. The UMES Negro League exhibition includes autographed photos, bats, balls and memorabilia from more than 100 baseball players. Many of the items represent Negro League Hall of Famers such as Willie Mays, Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard, “Cool Papa” Bell, Leon Day and Judy Johnson, who was born in Snow Hill, MD. There is also memorabilia from major league players such as Lefty Grove, Bob Feller, Warren Spawn, Charles Gehringre and Jonnie Mize, all of whom played against Negro league teams in “barnstorming” exhibition games. Some of the items on display will also be for sale. Mosely Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, with special tours arranged upon request. Admission to the gallery is free. For more information, go to the Web site www.umes.edu/arts/ or call 410-651-6490. November 12, 2004 - (NEW CARROLLTON, MD / BALTIMORE / D.C. / NORTHERN VA.) Sports Legends Night at the Ramada New Carrollton, MD., Nov 12 2004 at 7:00 p.m.  $25.00 admission for Negro League Legends Autograph Signing, Negro League Memorabilia, Entertainment, Smooth Jazz - Absolute Music, Comedian, Marcellus Duckett, Hors D’oeuvres, and more... Co-sponsored by Unity Thunder, Platinum Dream Sports Rider, BCI Inc., Catering 2You, Limo Limo, WRJ Photographics, Write On Time Production, JAM, Inc., & Ramada New Carrollton.  For more info, call 301.647.2145 or email: drsims@tri-network.net November 14, 2004 - (SALISBURY, MD)  Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame induction of NLBPA President, Mr. Stanley Glenn, born in Wachapreague, MD.  As a catcher for the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro National League during the 1940s, he is one of six inductees for the Nov. 14 ceremony. The 5 p.m. dinner banquet will be held at the Moose Lodge on Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased by calling Parksley accountant John Bowden (410-665-5918), a board member who represents Accomack and Northampton counties on the Eastern Shore Baseball Foundation Inc., which operates the hall of fame.  Read more here... www.valuecity.com December 12, 2004 and December 19, 2004 - (BALTIMORE, MD)  The Value City Department Store chain will combine holiday giving with baseball history in a toy drive featuring appearances by former Negro League baseball players. This month, Magic 95.9 FM will broadcast live from two Value City stores, as Negro League alumni sign autographs and help collect new, unwrapped toys. Baseball players on the scene will include Al Burrows, who played in the New York Black Yankees and Indianapolis Clowns; William "Sonny" Randall of the Homestead Grays; Jimmy Bland of the Indianapolis Clowns; and Luther Atkinson of Satchel Paige's All-Stars and the Chicago American Giants. The first appearance will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12 at the East Point Mall Value City. The second will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Westview Value City on Baltimore National Pike.  Value City is partnering with the Maryland State Troopers Association for the events. Toys will be donated to the KinderTime Toy Drive. Value City's parent, Retail Ventures Inc., is based in Columbus, Ohio. The Lincoln Museum   September 19, 2004–January 7, 2005 - (FORT WAYNE, IN) Jackie Robinson broke the color line in baseball -- the unwritten rule made in the 1890s barring African Americans from playing in the major leagues -- when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. That and other less well-known facts can be discovered in The National Pastime in Black and White: The Negro Baseball Leagues, 1867-1955, a new exhibit now open at the Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, Ind. The exhibit tells the story of the Negro Leagues during segregation. The exhibition's 60 photographs and selection of rare artifacts acquaint visitors with great athletes who were good enough -- but not white enough -- to play in the major leagues. These athletes didn't wait for the door to "organized" baseball to open; they formed their own teams and leagues and played the game with as much skill and enthusiasm as their white counterparts. The exhibit will run through Jan. 7, 2005. Museum admission is $3.99; $2.99 for seniors and children ages 5-12. The museum is at 200 E. Barry. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call (260) 455-3864 or visit thelincolnmuseum.org   If you have a related upcoming event that you’d like to have listed, please drop us a line.  Click here for an archived list of past events (2003).  Click here for an archived list of past events (2002).