City of Rochester
News Release
(Wednesday, July 12, 2017) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren invites residents to join father-daughter team Jeff and Makayla Klein in their ongoing community service project which pays tribute to retired baseball players from what was known as the “Negro Leagues.” “They Stepped up to the Plate – Stories of Inspiration from Segregated Baseball” will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 13 at the Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Ave.
The event honors four former Negro League players who will share their inspiring stories with attendees. Featured guests are: Jake Sanders, outfielder, Detroit Stars and Kansas City Monarchs 1955-61; Ernest Fann, catcher, 1962 Raleigh Tigers; Bill McCrary, shortstop, Kansas City Monarchs 1946-48; and Ike Walker, catcher for the 1963 Satchel Paige All-Stars. Admission is $5 at the door and children 12 and under are free. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the retired athletes, take photos and have baseball cards and other items autographed.
“We are honored to celebrate the lives and legacies of four great athletes from the Negro Leagues and we are thankful that their incredible stories will live on through this unique program,” said Mayor Warren. “These athletes have important lessons to share about social justice, perseverance, integrity and triumph in the face of adversity. I am grateful for the efforts of the Klein family in creating this educational event and I am confident that audience members of all ages will be moved and enlightened.”
“For baseball, specifically, there was so much great talent in the Negro Leagues that went largely unnoticed by the American public for decades,” said Jeff Klein. “They Stepped up to the Plate focuses on the players who continued to play segregated baseball after Jackie Robinson “broke the color barrier” in 1947. I think these players living among us --largely in anonymity-- deserve recognition.” Klein is also working on a corresponding book that documents the stories, struggles and sacrifices of Negro League athletes.
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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo, 428-7135.