Mural Celebrating Joplin's Baseball History to be Unveiled Sunday
August 28, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO - Joe Becker Stadium will be sporting a new look beginning 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30th. A partnership between the Joplin Blasters, Missouri Southern State University, and Leadership Joplin will unveil a baseball themed mural before the Blasters' final game of the season.
The idea for the three-panel, 8-by-16-foot mural originated with Leadership Joplin, a program of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. Missouri Southern's Focal Point student art organization was asked to create it.
The depictions of Becker and Mantle are an homage to Joplin's baseball history. Becker was a professional umpire and scout who served as business manager for the Joplin Miners minor league baseball team from 1936-42, and later as a pitching coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. Mantle played for the Miners in 1950 on his way up to Major League Baseball and a successful 17 years with the New York Yankees.
The mural project was a natural way for Leadership Joplin to collaborate with the university to add some artistic enhancement to the new home of the independent baseball team.
"Leadership Joplin is a cooperative effort to share experiences, knowledge and insight into the dynamic community of the Joplin area, while expanding opportunities to enhance their community involvement skills while also gaining leadership training," said Ginger LaMar, director of members services and development for the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. "We really appreciate the partnership with Missouri Southern, the city of Joplin and the Joplin Blasters."
Fans are encouraged to join in the unveiling by coming to Joe Becker Stadium at 4pm on Sunday. The mural is located in front of the 3rd base concession stand and can be seen on High Street.
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