Sacramento legends, including Dusty Baker, join for annual Negro League game
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sacramento hosted its 5th annual Honorary Negro League game at John Smith Field.
- Dusty Baker and Greg Vaughn joined to promote legacy and youth player exposure.
- Proceeds support Black-owned firms, the Negro League Museum, and youth programs.
The legacy of Black and brown baseball shone Sunday as generations of players, from 16 to 90, came together for Sacramento’s annual Honorary Negro League game.
The game, now in its fifth year, is intended to pay homage to the league’s history and give young players an opportunity to showcase their skills. The Negro Leagues — a collection of American professional baseball leagues — existed primarily from 1920 to the 1950s when Black players were excluded from Major League Baseball.
“It’s so important that these young men know what ... the fight was, just to be able to come onto this field and to be able to cross the lines and play,” said event organizer Todd Sullivan. “They had to go through a lot.”
The event, held at Sacramento State’s John Smith Field, featured several former players and managers from both the Negro Leagues and MLB. Those in attendance included former four-time MLB All-Star Greg Vaughn and Dusty Baker, a Sacramento baseball legend and two-time World Series Champion.
Baker, who participates in the event annually, cited the importance of such events to educate younger generations about the players who paved the way for them. For the most part, Baker said baseball does not do a “good job” of passing along this history.
“Most of the time, unless he was a superstar player, being Black or Latin, he really didn’t get much notoriety,” Baker said.
Players in this year’s exhibition game came from high schools across the state, including C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento. They showcased their talent to scouts while representing either The New York Black Yankees or Pittsburgh Crawfords, two former Negro Leagues teams.
Isaiah Beyah, who played for the New York Black Yankees, called the opportunity an “honor.” Beyah, 16, plays middle infield and outfield for Bellarmine College Preparatory in the Bay Area.
“To be asked to come here and play today with all this talent and at this stadium is a blessing,” Beyah said.
Among the baseball royalty in the stands on Sunday was Dennis Biddle — who made his debut for the Chicago American Giants at 17 in 1953. At 90, he remains the youngest living player from the Negro Leagues. Biddle estimated there are less than 20 players still alive from his time.
“I come here because it’s a part of me,” said Biddle, who attended the event for the fourth time.
Biddle, who is president of the Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball Foundation, said young black players continue to be overlooked because they are not given the “spotlight. On MLB’s Opening Day in April, about 6% of players were Black.
“As I sit here, and I look at these players here, some of them are not getting the recognition that they can deserve,” Biddle said. “That’s exactly what happened in the Negro League.”
Money raised for Sunday’s event is given to black-owned businesses in Sacramento, the Negro League Baseball Museum and Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball Foundation.
