JackHammers to Honor Negro League Baseball
August 2, 2002 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â On Saturday, August 17 at Silver Cross Field, the Joliet JackHammers will honor the Negro Baseball League era of professional baseball when they host the St. Paul Saints at 6:05 PM. Replica uniforms, guest appearances, autographs and interesting facts will be part of this special tribute.
The JackHammers and the Saints will be wearing replica uniforms from the Negro Baseball League. The replica uniforms are of the Chicago American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, Indianapolis ABC's, New York Cubans, St. Louis Stars, Homestead Grays, Detroit Stars, Birmingham Black Barons, Newark Eagles, Baltimore Elite Giants, Philadelphia Stars, House of David, Pittsburgh Crawfords, Jacksonville Red Caps, and Cleveland Buckeyes.
There will be guest appearances made by former Negro Baseball League players such as Dennis Biddle (played for Chicago), Sherwood Brewer (Kansas City, Indianapolis & New York), Johnny Washington (Chicago) and Al Spearman (Chicago and Kansas City). Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe (St. Louis & Homestead), a former teammate of Satchel Paige, will make a special appearance (health permitting).
In the Negro Baseball League, Biddle was the youngest ever to play in the league. Brewer was a teammate of Jackie Robinson in 1945 with Kansas City. He also was a teammate of Ernie BanksâMr. Cub. Radcliffe was the only pro baseball player at any level to have been named starting pitcher and catcher at All-Star games. For his career, he compiled nearly 500 home runs and earned nearly 500 wins as a pitcher.
These former players will sign free autographs before the game. The Negro Baseball League was in existance from the 1920s to the 1950s. The JackHammers donated 150 tickets for this game to the Joliet Alliance for Youth. Tickets can be purchased by calling 815-726-BALL (2255) or visit the Silver Cross Field ticket office.
For additional team information, visit the JackHammers website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com. For additional information on the Negro Baseball League, visit www.negroleaguebaseball.com. Dennis Biddle is available for interviews before and on the day of this event. Please call Bryan Dolgin for additional information at 815-774-2875 or send him an e-mail at bdolgin@jackhammerbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from August 2, 2002
- Sioux City X's Out Flyers by 2-1 Margin - Schaumburg Flyers
- JackHammers Lose to RailCats - Joliet JackHammers
- JackHammers to Honor Negro League Baseball - Joliet JackHammers
- Dukes Sign Catcher, Pitcher; Releases Maluchnik, Wicklund - Duluth-Superior Dukes
- Flyers Come up Huge with Seven-Run Seventh Inning - Schaumburg Flyers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
