The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Week gets a vibrant kick-off this year with the second annual HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. The event, taking place on July 12th at Globe Life Field, the home of the World Champion Texas Rangers, shines a spotlight on the rich history and exceptional talent of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) baseball programs.
Keeping MLB traditions alive, the league started the day with a tradition that started in the late 1970s, the Budweiser Clydesdales appearance. These majestic animals kicked off the festivities in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday, July 12th, 2024. They trotted through the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, even delivering some iconic Budweiser brews to locations like the Cowtown Coliseum and Billy Bob’s Texas. Today, the Clydesdales has become a tradition at Major League Baseball games, to add spectacle and celebrate the sport’s history.
Still, there was more. And MLB didn’t skimp on culture. The league also tapped Grammy award-winning Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, who set to open the singing of both the U.S. National Anthem and the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, to the “Divine Nine” step show and Battle of the Bands that can only be topped by the appearance from the Grandmother of Juneteenth, Opal Lee.
In a showcase for rising stars, the HBCU Swingman Classic will feature the top 50 college players from Division I HBCU programs across the nation. These athletes, meticulously selected by a committee that includes Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., will showcase their skills in a game format, offering an opportunity for them to be seen by MLB scouts and a national audience. The event aims to become an annual tradition, fostering a pipeline for future stars and increasing diversity within Major League Baseball.
But, the HBCU Swingman Classic is more than just a game, it’s a celebration of baseball’s rich history and a commitment to building a more inclusive future. HBCU programs have a long tradition of producing talented Black baseball players, many of whom have faced barriers to reaching the major leagues. This event attempts to recognize their contributions while creating a pipeline for future generations of Black athletes to achieve their MLB dreams.
The bond between Black Americans and baseball runs deep, woven from a history of both exclusion and triumph. Denied entry into Major League Baseball for decades due to segregation, Black communities fostered their own leagues, the Negro Leagues, where exceptional talent thrived.
These leagues not only served as a training ground for future MLB stars like Jackie Robinson, but also became a source of immense pride and cultural significance for Black communities. Despite facing inferior resources and limited recognition, Black players consistently displayed exceptional skill and passion for the game. Today, with the inclusion of Negro League statistics in MLB records, the rich history of Black baseball is finally woven into the fabric of the sport, celebrating a legacy of resilience, talent, and an undeniable love for America’s pastime.
But the stats didn’t always paint a true picture of Black baseball talent. For decades, MLB record books presented an incomplete portrait. The exclusion of statistics from the Negro Leagues skewed the narrative of baseball’s greatest players and achievements. However, in a groundbreaking move in 2020, MLB finally recognized the Negro Leagues as major leagues, integrating their statistics into the official record books. This wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it fundamentally reshaped baseball history by revealing the true depth of talent that existed beyond the segregated boundaries.
Prior to this inclusion, MLB fans revered players like Babe Ruth (who’s Blackness is actually still in question) and Willie Mays. However, the lack of Negro League stats obscured the brilliance of Black players like Josh Gibson. Gibson, a legendary slugger for the Homestead Grays, now holds the all-time record for career batting average (.357), slugging percentage (.762), and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.141) – all surpassing the previously crowned “Sultan of Swat,” Babe Ruth. This shift highlights the dominance of Negro League players who, despite facing inferior equipment and facilities, showcased exceptional talent.
The impact goes beyond crowning new batting champions. Integrating Negro League stats paints a more accurate picture of baseball’s evolution. Before 2020, the MLB narrative primarily focused on white players, neglecting the contributions of Black athletes. Now, players like Oscar Charleston, with eight Negro League batting titles, and Satchel Paige, a dominant pitcher with an estimated career record of 2,100 strikeouts, are rightfully recognized for their achievements.
Still, the story of the Negro Leagues transcends statistics. These players faced immense adversity – from segregation and limited resources to outright hostility. Yet, their passion for the game and exceptional talent shone through. Including their stats not only acknowledges their achievements but also serves as a powerful testament to their resilience in the face of hardship.
This decision by MLB has a significant ripple effect. By recognizing the Negro Leagues and their players, MLB sends a strong message of inclusivity to aspiring young athletes of color. It demonstrates that Black excellence in baseball has a long and storied history, and that the pathway to major league stardom can be achieved by players from all backgrounds.
As MLB All-Star week celebrate baseball’s rich history as America’s pastime, the inclusion of the Negro Leagues ensures that all its stars finally shine as brightly as their talent deserves. And for baseball fans in Texas, the HBCU Swingman Classic offers a unique opportunity to witness the next generation of baseball stars before they reach the national stage. The energy and talent on display are sure to be electrifying, setting the tone for an exciting MLB All-Star week in Texas.