By Staff
Contributed Reports
Stamp event pays tribute to historic league July 2
Contributed Reports
On July 2, the City of Washington will turn into an athletic showcase of historic proportions.
That is the day the city and Metropolitan AME Zion Church joins the Washington Post Office to introduce the Postal Service’s newest 44-cent commemorative Negro Leagues Baseball stamp. Nearly 20 former Negro League players will be in town for this unique dedication event, though the stamp itself will be issued nationally two weeks later on July 15.
The event will be held at the SusieGray McConnell Sports Complex, 101 Airport Road in Washington, beginning at 11 am on Friday, July 2.
In 1920, Rube Foster organized a baseball league open to players of color, citing the nationwide exclusion of those players from the established major and minor leagues of baseball. The Negro Leagues showcased hundreds of black and Latin players for many years, eventually leading to one of the players, Jackie Robinson, to join the Brooklyn Dodgers major league club, in 1947. His signing broke the color barrier and opened the door for other Negro Leaguers to join clubs. The Negro Leagues suffered in comparison, however, and the last teams of the league folded in the early 1960s.
Some of the players scheduled to participate are Carl Long, from Kinston; Sam Allen, KC Monarchs; and Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, one of only three women to ever play in the Negro Leagues. “The time has come to recognize these true-to-life heroes of American sport, and we are honored these legendary figures have chosen to join us in the special event,” said Myra Lynn, Washington Postmaster. “
 This event is free and open to the public. Special commemorative cachets will be available to attendees.
For more information, contact Myra Lynn at (252) 946-0128.