The Kansas City Royals continued its tradition of hosting a day to honor the Negro Leagues on Sunday, June 23.
Playing the Minnesota Twins, the Royals donned the 1942 Kansas City Monarchs’ white-and-red uniforms. The Twins, meanwhile, wore the blue-and-white uniforms of the St. Paul Gophers.
Negro League Baseball Museum president and Park graduate Bob Kendrick talked about the importance of the day.
“It fills you with pride, it is always a special day,” said the 1985 Park graduate to Cody Tapp of 610 KCSP. “The pageantry of the game and the nostalgia of the game, it just makes it one of the most special days baseball league wide. Seeing them (the Royals) in the 1942 uniform is amazing.”
The Royals hosted an autograph session in their hall of fame for players with ties to the Negro Leagues, which was formed in Kansas City in 1920 at a YMCA.
During the game, the Royals Authentic Store held a silent auction for the hats and bases used during the game. Bidding for game-used and autographed jerseys from both teams and batting helmets closed on June 30.
Every Monarchs jersey had bids of at least $260 and every Gopher jersey had a bid of at least $400.
All uniform proceeds will benefit the NLBM.
“The Royals were one of the first one to do these annual events and it has only grown and grown over the years. It means a great deal to the museum in terms of viability to keep operating” said Kendrick, who played basketball for the Pirates.
This past weekend, the NLBM held its Hall of Game ceremony, inducting Eric Davis, Fred McGriff, Dave Parker and Dave Stewart as part of the sixth class. Sharon Robinson, the daughter of Jackie Robinson, was given her father’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
CODY THORN/Citizen photo
Alex Gordon, left, throw the ball back to the infield after recording an out during a game on Sunday, June 23 against Minnesota. The Royals wore the uniforms of the Kansas City Monarchs in that game.