The 2nd Annual HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile & powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) is an All-Star experience for baseball student-athletes from Division-I programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). MLBbro legend Ken Griffey Jr. was instrumental in putting this showcase of talent together to set off MLB All-Star week festivities.
“You pitched in high school with the idea of moving up to either college or the Negro Leagues. I went the college route and pitched with the idea of moving up to the Negro Leagues. It was my dream, just like a white teen’s dream would have been to move up to the Dodgers or Red Sox”— Garnett Blair, Homestead Grays pitcher.
While the opening of camps throughout Florida and Arizona signals the beginning of MLB’s Spring Training, this weekend also signals the beginning of the 2024 college baseball season.
Most importantly, the beginning of the HBCU baseball campaign is here as well.
Several schools within the SWAC, CIAA, MEAC, and SIAC are giving many of us who are digging out snow or turning up the thermostat another reason to look forward to warmer weather.
It also allowed me to think about how HBCU’s were a true focal part to the beginning of Negro League baseball. In the formative years of the Negro Leagues, the talent pool of players stretched out from the local sandlots to the college ranks.
Most importantly, players like the aforementioned Garnett Blair, a standout for Virginia Union of the CIAA, began their baseball careers on black college campuses.
Schools like Morris Brown, Howard, Tuskegee, Clark Atlanta, Wilberforce, and others were the training grounds for some of the elite players in Negro League history.
Longtime Negro League icon Buck O’Neill attended Edward Waters College in Florida before beginning his career with the Miami Giants in 1934. One of the early pioneers of Negro League baseball, Frank Leland attended Fisk University in Tennessee.
Leland would later help form the Chicago Leland Giants in 1909. One of the pitchers for Leland in those formative years was a fellow by the name of Andrew “Rube” Foster, the father of Negro League baseball.
Even Foster’s brother, William had HBCU ties before beginning his Negro League career. The younger Foster attended Alcorn State before going to the Windy City to play with his older brother for the Chicago American Giants in 1923.
The impact of black college players are a huge part of Negro League baseball. From player-manager Dick Lundy (Bethune-Cookman) to future Brooklyn Dodger Joe Black (Morgan State), the HBCU influence was felt throughout the entire existence of the Negro Leagues.
While a comprehensive list of players would be too long to mention, what follows is a brief summary of some players that made a significant impact on their schools and their professional teams.
These two rivals from the CIAA were a big part of a pitching staff that helped lead the Baltimore Black Sox to the Negro American League pennant in 1929. A 6-foot-2 righty from Livingstone College, Yokely led Baltimore starters with a 19-11 mark that season.
The Winston-Salem, N.C. native threw six career no-hitters during his eight-year run (1926-33) with Baltimore. While hurling for LC, Yokley had several duels with his future teammate Hayes, who hurled for Johnson C. Smith and briefly for N.C. Central.
Hayes’ best season also came in 1929 when he finished 4-0 for the Black Sox.
THE 1946 NEWARK EAGLES
The Negro League champs (56-24-3) of that season had several players that attended HBCU schools including third baseman Andrew “Pat” Patterson (Wiley College) and outfielder Bob Harvey (Bowie State University).
A four sport athlete for the Bulldogs, Harvey would eventually be inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame for his prowess on the gridiron and the hardcourt.
However, it was the contributions of future Hall of Famers Larry Doby (Virginia Union) and Monte Irvin (Lincoln, Pa.) that helped put Newark over the top. While they were outfielders for the majority of MLB careers, the pair served as Newark’s keystone combination (Irvin at second, Doby at shortstop) during the championship season
A year before he became the American League’s first black ballplayer, Doby hit a blistering .360 to lead the Eagles in batting. Irvin, who hit .349 during the regular season, was Newark’s catalyst in their World Series triumph over the Kansas City Monarchs.
His .462 average with three homers and eight RBI led all starters in the 7-game series.
OTHER PLAYERS OF NOTE:
Catcher Joshua Johnson
A power-hitting standout who also played football at Cheyney State University, Johnson might have developed into an all-time great if given the chance to play more.
His greatest misfortune was that he spent most of his career as a backup to future Hall of Famer Josh Gibson while toiling for the Homestead Grays. When Gibson opted to play in Mexico in 1940, Johnson hit a whopping .429 as the Grays won their fourth straight pennant.
Outfielder John “Sparkplug” Reese
A speedy, defensive standout for several teams including the Hillsdale Daisies and Chicago American Giants title teams of the early 20’s. This Morris Brown product and Florida native would later manage the St. Louis Stars to the Negro National League pennant in 1931.
Pitcher George Jefferson
In 1945, this product of Langston University helped lead the upstart Cleveland Buckeyes to a four-game sweep of the Homestead Grays in the Negro League World Series.
In a season where the 6-foot-2 Oklahoma native finished the regular season with an 11-1 mark, his highlight came when he tossed a three-hit shutout against the Grays in Game Three of the Series.
Catcher Nish Williams
Another power-hitting catcher who was a standout for Morehouse College before toiling for several Negro League squads including the Nashville Elite Giants, Birmingham Black Barons, and Atlanta Black Crackers.
His baseball legacy was continued at Morehouse by his son, Donn Clendenon. A three-time All-NAIA standout for the Tigers, Clendenon was the World Series MVP for the “Amazin” Mets in 1969.
NOTE: The Biographical Encyclopedia of The Negro Baseball Leagues, When The Game Was Black And White, The Complete Book of Baseball’s Negro Leagues, and The Black College Sports Encyclopedia all contributed to this story.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities [HBCUs] have become more than just a sanctuary for Black collegiate student-athletes. It now appears that Major League Baseball is ready to visit those athletic programs for players who have been previously overlooked.
The first HBCU Swingman Classic on July 7, will feature 50 HBCU Players during MLB All-Star Week’s first pitch in Seattle with Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. as its catalyst. MLB’s Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI) program has also produced several Black American Major Leaguers – including former pitcher C.C. Sabathia and current Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford. However, this will be the first time that MLB has literally put its money where its mouth is to give aspiring talent from HBCUs their own all-star showcase.
“I could never fathom this happening,” said former Southern University’s legendary coach and College Baseball Hall of Famer Roger Cador. “I had been working with [MLB Chief Baseball Development Officer] Tony Reagins and we had been trying to do something like this for the last three years.”
“But it wasn’t until Ken Griffey, Jr. along with [MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred] came along and gave their support that the idea became reality and it’s something that will be around for years to come”.
MLB appears to understand there is something unsettling about the dwindling numbers of Black American players as the game continues importing most of the new generation of stars from the Dominican Republic and Asia.
However, some of the greatest Black Knights in the history of baseball have ties to HBCUs. For example: Larry Doby, who played at Virginia Union University, was MLB’s second Black American player with the Cleveland franchise debuting 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson.
St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer Lou Brock – a multiple world champion and one time MLB all-time stolen base leader – is a graduate of Southern University. Joe Black, the 1952 National League Rookie of the Year with the Brooklyn Dodgers, graduated from Morgan State. The 1969 World Series MVP Donn Clendenon from the “Amazin’ New York Mets is a Morehouse man. Vince Coleman, Marquis Grissom, and Andre Dawson would be statistically one of the greatest outfield combinations of all-time and they all played at Florida A&M.
Texas Southern junior outfielder Johnathon Thomas was the first HBCU baseball player taken in the 2022 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He was selected in the 19th round with the 561st overall pick by the Washington Nationals. Those who follow the prospects in their organization feel that with the talent pool of outfielders already there he faces a difficult battle trying to make the show.
Nonetheless, this is one of the showcases giving HBCU baseball programs a stage to evaluate prospects with support from MLB. In addition to being a platform for MLB scouts, the game’s most valuable player will earn a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal from T-Mobile to immediately enter the new world order of capitalizing on marketing and commercial advertising deals.
“I don’t know if we’ll get the type of players we once did, ” Cador said.
“But I’m thinking with this All Star Game and the NIL money we may be able to make up some ground on bringing mid-level players back to Black colleges.”
Cador is to HBCU baseball what the late Eddie Robinson was to Black College football at Grambling. He took a non-existent program and won 14 Southwestern Athletic Conference and two HBCU National championships in 17 seasons. Cador also had 62 players drafted and 11 All-Americans including 2003 Golden Spikes Awards winner Rickie Weeks who was the second pick in that year’s MLB Draft. Weeks played 14 years with the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Tampa Bay Rays.
Earlier this year, the Black College World Series was played in Montgomery, Alabama featuring HBCU players from NAIA and NCAA Division II Schools that was scouted by Major League Baseball clubs also. However, that was a survive and advance series with a championship in the balance.
It’s one of several efforts, including the Andrew Dawson Classic, being played that give Black college players an unprecedented stage to display their skills before scouts and talent evaluators.
Florida Memorial (22-24) beat Albany State (39-11) 5-4 in a 19-inning championship game at Riverwalk Park – home of the Class AA Montgomery Biscuits – who are an affiliate of the Tampa Rays.
As a sobering reminder of the plight facing Black American players on MLB rosters today, the 2022 World Series marked the first time since 1950 that didn’t feature any U.S. born Black players which was just three years after Jackie Robinson broke the game’s color barrier.
No MLBbros In 2022 Fall Classic | First Time Since 1950 World Series Sadly Void Of Soul
When the baseball season pauses for Major League Baseball’s All-Star week taking place in Seattle’s T-Mobile Park in July, a very important event for the future of Black and brown players in the game of baseball will commence.
Introducing the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic powered by @MLB , @MLBPA , & @Baseball_YDF ‼️
50 Division 1 HBCU baseball players will earn the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage during the 2023 All-Star Week in Seattle⭐️ pic.twitter.com/9FqDj89m1d
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) December 6, 2022
The collaboration of Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and the MLB-MLB Players Association Youth Development Foundation will bring the HBCU Swingman Classic for baseball student-athletes at historically Black colleges and universities to the festivities.
As a second generation MLBbro icon, Griffey Jr. understands that HBCUs do not have the advantages that he had coming up the ranks and the Swingman Classic can provide exposure and awareness.
“It gives an opportunity for these guys to be seen; plus, they want to continue their baseball career like everyone else,” said Junior, who had 13 All Star appearances and 10 Gold Gloves throughout his career. “This is an opportunity for these guys to be out there on a big stage, to have fun with some guys who played the game at a high level and learn some things.”
Coincidentally, the MLB Draft combine had their first HBCU participants as well. Hylan Hall, Trey Paige and Xavier Meacham, who participated in the Draft combine will be in the Swingman Classic as well.m
All three MLBbros of the future shared how important this time is in their career and lives via MLB.com…
Trey Paige:
“I didn’t expect to be invited [to the combine] at all. I was super excited,” said Paige, an infielder from Delaware State who’s transferring to Kentucky for his senior year. “I called my parents and my sister right away, they were freaking out. I think my mom started crying on the phone. It just shows that I put in a lot of hard work and it’s getting noticed.
“This shows that you can go to an HBCU and still get the same recognition as some of these bigger-name schools.”
While Paige is transferring away from an HBCU, Hylan Hall transferred to Bethune-Cookman. His family affair comes from his teammates…
Hylan Hall:
“I think everything happens for a reason,” Hall said. “I thank God for putting me in that position. He wouldn’t give you something that you’re not ready for. It’s just something that had to happen to me. That’s my story.”
Continuing with the family theme, Xavier Meachem has Black college in his blood since his parents went to North Carolina Central. The right-handed pitcher, Meachem, has found inspiration in MLBbro Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen. This young player is trying to pass that inspiration to his N.C. A&T Aggies teammates.
Xavier Meachem:
“A lot of guys are hungry and have gone through adversity throughout their whole baseball career,” Meachem said. “So a lot of guys play with a chip on [their] shoulder [and that’s what’s] special about our program.
“It’s really important because in the future [there will be] a lot more minorities in the game,” Meachem said. MLB providing these resources is going to increase [the participation for] these players. You’ll see a lot more minority talent in the league sooner or later.”
There will be a ton of MLBbro talent represented on the field and in the dugout including the coaches.
Introducing the roster for the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic presented by @TMobile & powered by the @Baseball_YDF ⚾️🔥 pic.twitter.com/kODXwxDZLj
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) June 9, 2023
The two teams are managed by former MLB managers Jerry Manuel and Bo Porter, supported by former MLBbro players and HBCU representatives like Andre Dawson, Cito Gaston, Ken Griffey Sr, Rickey Weeks Jr, Marquis Grissom, Marvin Freeman, Vince Coleman, Lenny Webster and Trenidad Hubbard.
The 2023 Andre Dawson Classic took place at the University of New Orleans this year on the weekend of February 24th-26th. The annual event, marked its 15th year of showcasing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs, coinciding with the start of the college baseball season.
Formerly known as the “Urban Invitational”, the 2023 Andre Dawson Classic features seven HBCUs this year:
THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND
2️⃣ ❌ MBP HBCU ALL-STAR @GoJSUTigersBSB Ty Hill
📸 @MLBDevelops Andre Dawson Classic pic.twitter.com/10SkETEq4A
— Minority Baseball Prospects (@MBPTakeover) February 25, 2023
The Major League Baseball-hosted event received a national spotlight through a live doubleheader feature simulcasted by MLB Network and MLB.com as part of an initiative to generate interest in baseball among young black athletes.
Andre Dawson, a 2010 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, spoke to MLB Network on what it meant to him for MLB to showcase HBCU talent.
“When Major League Baseball reached out to me it was quite the honor…. I have achieved many accolades and awards in my career, but this is right there at the top.”
MLB Network began its broadcast with Florida A&M taking on Southern. The game was highlighted by an explosive FAMU offense who had fifteen total hits including two home runs. FAMU, who benefited from a five-run 8th inning, won the game 12-6.
Alumni of both MLB Development Initiatives and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) programs were included on every Andre Dawson Classic roster, most notably including:
⚾️ is a game of Inches‼️@GoJSUTigersBSB @ColbyGuy15 delivers go ahead RBI against Prairie View to secure a 5️⃣➖4️⃣ victory
📸 @MLBDevelops Andre Dawson Classic pic.twitter.com/NzGeqm20Hy
— Minority Baseball Prospects (@MBPTakeover) February 27, 2023
MLB also recognized that to increase black participation in baseball the players must be introduced early on at the youth level. In conjunction with the Andre Dawson Classic, a three-day 12u tournament consisting of teams from RBI and/or Youth Academy programs were held.
Throughout the weekend, many of the young players watched the HBCU games while also finding time to mingle with Dawson, who was there in attendance.
“The kids, they’ve got to start young,” Dawson said to MLB Network. “You have to keep it fun for them. They have to get quality coaching, first and foremost, and not this parents coaching stuff.
“Let them play the game and enjoy it for what it is – recreation. But they learn the craft, too. This can take them to the next level. If you can continue to work with them and help them, get better, you increase their interest in the sport.”
The young players experienced the company of the Baseball Hall of Famer, a Black man whose presence offered a level of confidence in their baseball future. The gravity of these moments should not be understated when it comes to representation: if the kids see someone of the same ethnicity make it to the big leagues, it helps them realize that their own goals are attainable.
In addition to Dawson, who is one of only three Baseball Hall of Famers who are HBCU alumni (including Lou Brock and Larry Doby), other special guests in New Orleans will include HBCU alumni and former Big Leaguers Marquis Grissom and Marvin Freeman, former Major League Manager & current MLB Baseball Development Consultant Jerry Manuel, and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick, among others.
The Andre Dawson Classic is a precursor to the HBCU Swingman Classic, which is powered by the MLB- MLBPA Youth Development Foundation and Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., scheduled for Friday, July 7th at T-Mobile Park during 2023 MLB All-Star Week in Seattle.
#MLBbro Legend Andre “The Hawk” Dawson signed with the Cubs in 1987.
He won the 1987 NL MVP Award with 49 homers. He was a 5x All-Star, 2x Gold Glover and won a Silver Slugger in 6 seasons with the Cubs.
The Hawk is also an HBCU product #BlackHistoryMonth #AndreDawsonClassic pic.twitter.com/2glavxBJmD
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) February 14, 2023
Representation Matters
Major League Baseball’s concerted efforts to make baseball palatable to young Black players not only helps the black youth, but they also help expand the game overall. Inclusion helps baseball evolve and become more innovative rather than stagnant. Bringing in diversity assists the sport in finding a new set of eyes from fans who may have felt ostracized due to a lack of representation.
Diversity Keeps The Sport Alive
Promoting growth is why initiatives such as the Andre Dawson Classic are integral to the game. Many of the college players who competed in the tournament were products of the RBI and Youth Academy pipeline. It is a cause for optimism that the number of players who were alumni of these youth programs played in this year’s Dawson Classic has increased. MLB Development initiatives are working.
In a statement to MLB.com, co-founder and program director of the Chicago White Sox ACE Kenny Fullman expressed joy about the Dawson Classic.
“One of the great things about this tournament, our kids don’t get to watch a lot of college baseball,” said Fullman. “A lot of times our kids don’t get to see people who look like them playing college baseball.
“This is a great opportunity for one, to see college baseball, and two, to see a lot of African-Americans and diverse people playing college baseball at a high level. I’m so thankful for this tournament.”
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