Kansas City, Missouri. The heartland capital of museums. And it seems the most enlightening museum of them all comes from a league that’s been defunct since the 1950s.
Even if you’re not a baseball fan you’ve likely heard of the Negro Leagues. The segregated form of professional baseball was home to some of the game’s greatest ball players. Sure, you probably already know Jackie Robinson got his start with the Kansas City Monarchs before signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige, both Hall-of-Famers, were just two stars that would have dominated any league during their prime.
But there are many things about the Negro Leagues you wouldn’t even begin to fathom unless visiting their museum on 18th and Vine. Here are my favorite, eye-popping snapshots during my visit.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports. Follow him on Twitter.
Negro Leagues
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The teams had unique names
Just a small sliver of teams who played anywhere from 1920-1958.
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Jackie Robinson wasn't first
It wasn't Jackie Robinson who broke the color barrier, but Moses Fleetwood Walker, who played for the professional Toledo Blue Stockings in 1884.
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Moses Fleetwood Walker
The first black player before the 'modern era.'
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The first night game was not in MLB
The first night game was played in the Negro Leagues in 1930, five years before the Reds and Cardinals would play the first MLB night game at Crosley Field.
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The first night game
A picture of one of the first night games ever.
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The trading cards didn't do justice
This blown up '19th century trading card' is very questionable, at the very least.
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Cups were like body armor
A rustic turn-of-the-century cup
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The Negro Leagues toured Japan
And they did it regularly, helping to spread the game of baseball more than anyone.
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They went all over Asia
In 1934, a team of black All-Stars went on a 13-month tour to Hawaii, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan.
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A fascinating picture
A black All-Star and an Asian baseball player during an early century tour.
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Josh Gibson was the 'black Babe Ruth'
OR Babe Ruth was the white Josh Gibson, depending on how you look at it. This picture describes one tale that shows just how ridiculous Gibson was at the plate.
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Josh Gibson
Catcher for the Homestead Grays.
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Another picture of Josh
It's estimated he hit nearly 800 home runs over his career.
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No these aren't hippies taking a retro hipster pic
This is actually a picture of the House of David, a religious group from Michigan who formed a baseball team in the early 1900's as a way to spread their word. The players were distinguished by their long hair and beards as they barnstormed throughout the country, playing Negro League teams in the process. They also later hired Negro League players to play for them, including Satchel Paige.
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The 'Globetrotters of baseball'
They were real. And they were called the Indianapolis Clowns.
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Hank Aaron was a clown
The home run king got his start in 1952 with the Indy Clowns. His nickname was 'Pork Chop,' because all he would eat while on the road: pork chops and fries.
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Satchel Paige's 'Rules For The Good Life' are amazing
The best literature at the museum, hands down. Plus, who knew he was VP of the Springfield Redbirds??
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Mr. Cub got his start in the Negro Leagues
Before he spent 19 years with the Chicago Cubs, Ernie Banks played for two years with the Kansas City Monarchs, who signed him at age 17.
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Cool Papa Bell was immortal
The speedster played for 29 years!
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Another look at Josh Gibson
This time, his Hall-of-Fame plaque.
