The Milwaukee Brewers hosted the annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game, presented by Aurora Health Care, on Friday, July 21, 2023 against the Atlanta Braves.
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
A pre-game ceremony honored the impact of the Negro Leagues with a meaningful “Pass the Bat” ceremony where RBI champ, Martel Freeland, passed a bat to collect signatures from the Negro Leagues player Dennis Biddle, Brewers alum Larry Hisle and Milwaukee Brewers player Tyrone Taylor (top row, right photo). The signatures represent the past, current, and future generations of African American players and their impact on the game of baseball and beyond.
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
The Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball Players (YNLBP) Foundation hosted the Negro Leagues Legacy Fest on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Beckum Little League Stadium, located at Carver Park, 911 W. Brown St., in celebration of the 1923 Milwaukee Bears Negro League Team, and Milwaukee Brewers 2023 Negro League honorees.
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
Festivities included a T-ball clinic, Little League All Star games featuring Beckum Stadium Little League, the Chicago’s Very Own Black Baseball Matter (BBM) Little League, with the BBM Cheerleaders half-time showdown and event highlight Negro Leagues Legends Meet n’ Greet.
Photos by Yvonne Kemp
Also on Saturday, July 22, YNLBP Foundation and the Milwaukee Brewers annual Heritage Day Celebration at the Clinton Rose Center, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dr. The event honored the naming of Athletic Park (later renamed Borchert Field), the city’s first professional ballpark as a historic landmark. For 64 years, Borchert Field was Milwaukee’s major sports venue that for generations provided Wisconsin residents a close-up view of sports history in the making. It served as the historic stage and entry way for the 1923 Milwaukee Bears Negro League Team and countless famous athletes.
