In a significant move to honor the legacy of the Negro Leagues, Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) have expanded their financial assistance programs to support former players. This new initiative will provide annual benefits to those who played in the Negro Leagues for less than four seasons, helping them during their later years.
The Negro National League, which was founded in 1920, was a crucial part of Black baseball history. At that time, racial segregation and Jim Crow laws prevented Black players from competing in Major League Baseball. The leagues gave these players a platform to showcase their talents until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, forever changing the sport. For nearly 60 years before Robinson’s milestone, “gentleman’s agreements” had excluded Black players from professional teams.
“Players of the Negro Leagues played through immense adversity, their dedication to the game undeterred by the racism and segregation they faced,” said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. “This program is an important step in honoring their contributions to the sport, as we prepare to celebrate their legacy in June at Rickwood Field.”
Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, echoed Manfred’s sentiments, emphasizing the significance of this long-awaited support: “These former players, who were pivotal in shaping our game, will finally receive a retirement benefit to help them in their later years. This is yet another example of players using their collective voice to push for positive change.”
The new financial assistance is an extension of the MLB Players Pension Plan, further complementing the non-vested benefits program for retired players. With approximately 60 former Negro League players expected to attend a special game between the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals on June 20 at historic Rickwood Field, the initiative’s launch will coincide with celebrations of the league’s enduring legacy. The field, which served as the home of the Birmingham Black Barons from 1924 to 1960, is also the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S.
This expansion of aid comes as a long-overdue recognition of the vital role the Negro Leagues played in the development of baseball and the perseverance of players who loved the game despite the hardships they endured.
