Homage to history
Pirates intend to enhance how the franchise honors Negro Leagues.
Major League Baseball righted a longtime wrong a few weeks ago by announcing it would consider the Negro Leagues from 1920-48 a “major league” entity, officially recognizing players’ statistics and honoring some of the greatest to play the game.
It appears the Pirates intend to do something similar at PNC Park this upcoming season, working to better honor Negro Leagues legends after a controversial decision several years back led to the removal of seven bronze statues from Legacy Square outside of the left-field entrance in April 2015.
“As we have set a new course internally to improve upon the PNC Park experience, we are in active discussions to enhance the way in which we celebrate the legacy of the Negro Leagues, these great players and the rich history of baseball in Pittsburgh,” Pirates vice president of communications Brian Warecki wrote in a statement to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“We want to expand upon what we do at the ballpark to honor their legacy, which is currently both physically with banners, virtually through our Ballpark App, as well as through the historical presentation in Legacy Theatre that we show to fans who tour PNC Park, school field trips and other groups on both game days and non-game days.”
The statues and informational panels arrived before the 2006 All-Star Game and honored Hall of Famers Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, “Cool Papa” Bell, Oscar Charleston, Satchel Paige, Judy Johnson and Smokey Joe Williams.
They were removed and eventually auctioned, with the proceeds going to the Josh Gibson Foundation as the Pirates — for reasons unknown — elected to honor those players with banners instead.
The statues fetched nearly a quarter million dollars, with Gary Cypres, the owner of the Sports Museum of Los Angeles, purchasing the ones of Gibson, Leonard, Bell and Charleston for $132,250.
Criticism came from all corners. Those who disagreed with the move accused the Pirates of either trying to turn a profit or not caring enough about a key part of societal and sports history.
It was especially frustrating to some given Pittsburgh’s place as a Negro Leagues mecca, a place where the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords thrived and employed elite talents.
But as the Pirates have sought a different direction in several areas, including their own Hall of Fame that was announced this past January, this was apparently a piece of outstanding business that owner Bob Nutting wanted to address.
Nuttingand team president Travis Williams have led conversations that center around rebooting Legacy Square, doing more to honor Negro Leaguesgreats and applying it across several mediums.
Warecki emphasized a renewed vigor centered around the Pirates’ Heritage Weekend celebrations, as well asinteractive educational programs in the classrooms of area schools.
While the Negro Leagues plans are still in the formative stages, the Pirates want to find more of a concrete and enriching way to talk about these players and educate fans — especially young ones — on what these legendary figures represent.
“We’re discussing expanding the physical presentation at the ballpark, but more important than a plaque and statue will be going to where the kids are,” Warecki said. “Going into the classrooms and communities to tell the stories and educate them on the Negro Leagues. We want it to be both interactive and impactful with today’s youth.”