Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Negro Leagues Baseball Museum across Baseball.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announces the 2026 induction class, celebrating the careers of Gary Matthews, Sr., Ralph Garr, Reggie Smith, Andre Thornton, and award recipients Rob Parker and the creator of MLBbro.com.
The museum revealed its 2026 Hall of Game class, inducting four former MLB players whose careers intersected with the Negro Leagues, while visitors share personal reflections on the sport’s enduring legacy.
In 1927 the Philadelphia Royal Giants became the first all‑Black team to tour Japan, laying the groundwork for professional baseball in the country and influencing future legends of the game.
Long before Babe Ruth's famous Japan visit, a Negro league squad led by George Irie traveled across Asia, earning respect and reshaping baseball's international narrative.
Detroit Tigers right‑hander Tarik Skubal has been vocal about the spark that teammate Dillon Dingler brings to the clubhouse, especially during spring training sessions where Dingler’s pitch‑calling creativity stands out. Dingler, a catcher with a keen eye for hitters’ tendencies, explains that his game‑calling philosophy hinges on adaptability — tailoring each sequence to exploit a batter’s strengths while keeping the opposition guessing. In his latest outing against the Oakland Athletics, Skubal showcased a razor‑sharp changeup that not only baffled hitters but also underscored his command of secondary pitches, a factor that has become a cornerstone of his recent success. The performance coincided with a strong start from rookie infielder Joshua Kuroda‑Grauer, who has quickly earned a reputation for simplicity and relentless work ethic in the Athletics’ farm system. The piece also revisits a lesser‑known statistic: only three pitchers in baseball history have started five All‑Star games — Lefty Gomez, Don Drysdale, and Robin Roberts — highlighting a lineage of excellence that modern players continue to chase. On the international stage, the KBO’s Samsung Lions secured the services of veteran left‑hander Chris Paddack for the remainder of the season, a move that could reshape the league’s competitive balance. Baseball history will also be front and center at the upcoming SABR convention, where Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, is slated to deliver a keynote address celebrating the sport’s diverse heritage. The recent passing of former Minnesota Twins star Darrell Jackson, left‑hander Al Holland, and right‑hander Phil Regan serves as a reminder of the game’s evolving narrative and the indelible marks left by its pioneers. Japanese phenoms Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Masataka Yoshida continue to dominate discussions, with Yamamoto praised for his consistency and athleticism, while Yoshida’s clutch hitting and solid bat‑to‑ball skills have made him a reliable presence in high‑pressure moments. Comparisons abound for players like Kensuke Kondoh, whose power swing mirrors Yoshida’s, and Haruto Takahashi, whose NPB performances for the Hanshin Tigers have drawn attention from scouts worldwide. Across the Pacific, Forrest Whitley’s strikeout prowess for the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, Carson McCusker’s contributions to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, and Riley Thompson’s KBO leading strikeout rate illustrate the depth of talent emerging from foreign leagues. Domestic prospects such as Seth Beer in the Mexican League, Curtis Mead’s potential highlighted by Blake Butera, and Alex Binelas’s steady output for the Reading Fightin Phils further enrich the talent pipeline. Minor league leaders like Manuel Pena, who tops home‑run charts, and Connor Oliver’s consistent performances for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ affiliates underscore the depth of development programs that feed the major leagues.
On Saturday, July 11, the African American Museum in Philadelphia will open its doors for a complimentary program that blends storytelling, documentary screening, and hands‑on creativity, inviting the community to explore the rich narrative of Black baseball.
The Savannah Bananas, known for their high‑energy Banana Ball games, have partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and revived the Indianapolis Clowns to celebrate the legacy of historic African‑American baseball teams.
An evening of film, auction and tribute will honor Phil S. Dixon, co‑founder of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, with proceeds supporting a documentary slated for 2027.
J.P. Crawford presented a game‑worn Steelheads jersey to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the Mariners will wear the uniform on Sundays while donating $25,000 to the museum's education center.
Nearly 200 students from southern Illinois attended a traveling exhibit at The Oasis in Marion that celebrates the life and legacy of Negro Leagues icon Buck O’Neil, combining education, community and sport.
The Indianapolis Clowns, once a celebrated Negro Leagues team known for its theatrical performances, are being revived in partnership with the Savannah Bananas. Guided by former minor‑league player Kobe Shaquille Robinson, the new incarnation aims to honor the legacy of pioneers like Hank Aaron and Toni Stone while increasing Black representation in baseball.
The Texas Monarchs, a 13‑year‑old baseball squad in Houston, use the game to teach heritage and keep the sport alive in the Black community, preparing for a museum‑filled tournament in Kansas City.
Eugene “Dick” Scruggs, Sr., a Negro Leagues pitcher turned community leader, died at 87, remembered for his on‑field dominance and off‑field contributions.
Eugene “Dick” Scruggs, Sr., a celebrated Negro Leagues pitcher who later built a janitorial business and worked as a funeral director, was inducted into the Huntsville–Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and left a lasting impact on Alabama sports and community life.