Color Daily Baseball

NEW YORK, NY.- Through colorful freestanding panels featuring photographs of teams and players; and original documents and artifacts from the collections of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and other institutions across the U.S., Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience examines the challenges faced by African-American baseball players as they sought equal opportunities in their sport beginning in the post-Civil War era. Pride and Passion will be on display through March 6, 2009 at The New York Public Library’s Countee Cullen branch located at 104 West 136th in Harlem.
In the 1880s, more than 30 African Americans were on teams in baseball’s major and minor leagues. But opportunities diminished as Reconstruction ended and segregation became entrenched as part of American culture. During the 1887 season, league owners agreed to make no new contracts with African-American players. From that time on, until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, baseball was a segregated sport.
In response, more than 200 independent all-black teams organized and barnstormed around the country, developing a reputation for a fast-running, power-hitting game. By the 1920s, black baseball had its own successful professional leagues. Negro league baseball grew into a multi-million dollar enterprise and a focus of great pride in the African-American community. Legendary figures such as Rube Foster, Buck Leonard, Oscar Charleston, James “Cool Papa” Bell, Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige thrilled audiences and helped pave the way for integration of the major leagues in the mid-20th century.
In 1971, Satchel Paige became the first player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame based solely on his performance in the Negro leagues. In the years that followed, more than 35 players and managers from such powerhouse Negro league teams as the Chicago American Giants, Kansas City Monarchs, St. Louis Stars, Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays have been voted into the Hall of Fame.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the American Library Association Public Programs Office organized the traveling exhibition, which was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH): great ideas brought to life. The traveling exhibition is based upon an exhibition of the same name on permanent display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Compelling 2009 Season Relived in New Phillies Video Yearbook DVD

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Phillies have announced the release of Legends of the Fall: The 2009 Phillies Video Yearbook DVD. This compelling feature gives fans the chance to relive a season that was memorable in so many ways.
Legends of the Fall is narrated by Raul Ibanez, a player who found out first-hand the glory of playing in this era of Phillies baseball. Through his eyes fans are able to relive all the stellar performances....all the walk-off wins...and all the excitement of the post season.
"It's the goal of every baseball player to go deep into the season, to be part of the last team standing, and to become one of the legends of the fall," said Dan Stephenson, the film's writer and producer. "This DVD captures the journey of a team that once again forged itself into the pages of Phillies history."
At 70 minutes in length, this DVD also features more than two hours of bonus footage, including a special tribute to Harry Kalas.
Legends of the Fall is now available for pre-sale at phillies.com and through the Official Phillies Merchandise Catalog at 1-877-GO-PHILS, for a suggested retail price of $17.99. The DVD will also be sold at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park as well as local Modell's Sporting Goods Stores beginning Thursday, December 17.

The New York Yankees defeated the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 7-3, Wednesday, to win the 2009 World Series.
New York's Japanese-born designated hitter, Hideki Matsui, was the catalyst in the Yankees' dominating victory. Matsui drove in six of the team's seven runs in the pivotal sixth game of the Series, including a massive home run off Phillies pitcher Pedro Martinez in the second inning that gave the Yankees their first two scores of the game.
Matsui also drove in two runs during his at-bats in the third and fifth innings. His exploits earned him the Most Valuable Player award for the 2009 Series, becoming the first Asian-born player, and first full-time designated hitter, to win the award.
Speaking through a translator, Matsui said he was happy to take one for the team. " . . .was happy to be able to hit and contribute to the team's win but more than that, just, us as a team, winning the championship - by far - that is such a great feeling," he said. "I guess you can say that this is the best moment of my life right now. If I were to look back, yes, this would be the best.''
The Yankees have won 27 World Series titles over their storied history, dating back to the 1920's, making them one of the most successful sports franchises in North America. New York won this year's prize in the first year of their new $1.3-billion stadium.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi says the team was honored to win another World Series title for the franchise's 79-year-old owner, George Steinbrenner.
"This is what the Steinbrenner family has strived for year after year after year and has tried to deliver to this city of New York and George Steinbrenner and his family are champions and to be able to deliver this to the Boss, the stadium that he created and the atmosphere that he created around here, um, is very gratifying for all of us," Girardi said.
The Phillies were seeking to become the first National League team to win consecutive World Series since the Cincinnati Reds did it in 1975 and 1976.
New York City's mayor has scheduled a parade through Manhattan Friday, to honor the Yankees.

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Former President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch for a baseball game in Japan Tuesday during his first visit since he left office.
Mr. Bush joined former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to watch the game between the Yomiuri Giants and Nippon Ham Fighters.
Mr. Bush changed into a baseball jacket before taking the mound in the Tokyo Dome to throw the pitch before Game 3 of the Japan Series.
He chatted briefly with several players before joining Mr. Koizumi in a private box. Also in the box were Japanese home run king Sadaharu Oh and U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos.
The Japan Series is the country's baseball championship, much like North America's World Series.

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