February 10, 2005
Photos and text by Bert Orlitzky, NLBPA.com webmaster

Location: Medfield Heights Elementary School, Baltimore, Maryland.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Medfield Heights school community welcomed Negro Baseball League’s Joe Durham during morning assemblies.  Bert Simmons was also scheduled to appear, but was unable to attend.

Click on images to enlarge Medfield Heights school welcomed everyone with this lovely greeting. Before the morning assembly, Joe Durham met with Michelle Smith (parent & event organizer), Barbara Norman (Office Manager) and Shayla Webb (Secretary).  School Principal, Ms. Debbie Thomas greets Joe with a warm welcome. Joe Durham holds everyone’s attention as he discussed his playing days.  He stresses that everyone should work as a team in school and at home.  “It’s just as easy to do the right thing as it is to do the wrong thing” - “You should always chose to do the right thing to be successful in life.” Words to live by! Everyone was very excited to have this former Negro Leaguer and Baltimore Oriole at the school. Students were given the opportunity to ask questions about whatever topic they desired, although most were curious about Joe’s player stats. Joe signed hundreds of autographs. Most had papers signed, but Joe was spotted also signing shirts, arms, softballs, stuffed animals, baseball cards, and hats. Another fan gets an autographed picture. On his way out, Joe stopped by room 111. Teacher, Ms. Marie Elize LaGuerre, and her lovely class had a private session with Joe before leaving.

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