legacy
Newsletters, Interviews, and the Memory of the Game
“The ballpark was the most wholesome avenue for an outing. It was a family gathering. When their parents couldn’t take them, kids still wanted to see the game. They rarely had the 50 cents to get into the stadium. But that didn’t stop them from seeing the Red Sox.“
—Black Diamonds, Blues City – Stories of the Memphis Red Sox
legacy
Long after the last inning, the stories lived on.
This section brings together publications and interviews documenting the legacy and experiences of Black baseball. From Silhouettes, the official newsletter of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, to event programs, banquet booklets, and commemorative pamphlets, these materials capture more than just schedules and names. They reflect the pride, persistence, and pageantry of the community that built and celebrated this game. Whether honoring legends or advertising local tributes, these printed pages preserve the cultural memory of the Negro Leagues with clarity and heart.
When the formal leagues had faded and reunion games filled their place, the sport still had power. In 2006, fans gathered at Rickwood Field for a tribute game. Former players in letterman jackets, grandkids in oversized jerseys, families arriving with scrapbooks under their arms. It wasn’t only nostalgia. It was a memory in motion. Proof that the culture built around these games was still alive.
Baseball was deeply meaningful for the communities that supported these teams. And it left paper trails: posters, programs, correspondence, and tickets that tell us what it felt like to be there. These materials don’t just record the scores. They show us the world that made the game matter.
audio/visual material
Publications and clippings
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