Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Exhibit: Latin Beisbol Art

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City opened their "Negro Leagues Beisbol" exhibit last week (May 16, 2014).

The exhibit includes a collection of five glove paintings featuring players who exemplified the relationship between the Negro Leagues and Latin baseball.

A glove painting I created highlighting the career of Cuban great Martin Dihigo made its public debut at the VIP Sponsors Opening Night Celebration held at the museum. 

The artwork on a vintage 1940s glove is now part of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's permanent collection.

The new exhibit explores the rich cultural and historical connection between American-born Negro Leaguers and players of Hispanic descent, who often played in each other's leagues. 

Five Painted Gloves on display at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Kansas City.

Other art in the exhibit includes Willie Mays and Hank Aaron glove paintings, both of whom played in the Negro Leagues and in Latin American.

The great Puerto Rican Roberto Clemente is also represented on a painted glove in the exhibit.

Another Cuban great, Minnie Minoso, is represented on a glove painting in the exhibit. While maybe best known as a Chicago White Sox player, Minoso was active in the Negro Leagues and the Cuban League, where he won Rookie of the Year in 1945-46.

The opening celebration included many former Negro League players, including Enrique Maroto, Pedro Sierra, George Altman and others.

With museum president Bob Kendrick.

What great stories I got to hear, including what it was like to be starting pitcher in the East-West Negro Leagues All-Star game in front of 50,000 at old Comiskey Park. Priceless.

I also had the pleasure of visiting with museum supporters, former major leaguers Willie Wilson and Bobby Dernier, and the hard working team at the NLBM, including museum president Bob Kendrick and curator Dr. Ray Doswell.

And, all of this is taking place in Kansas City, where in 1920, Rube Foster lead the forming of the Negro National League.

The "Negro Leagues Beisbol" exhibit continues until September 30, 2014. The exhibit is presented by Sprint and the Kauffman Foundation and admission is free to the public.

Definitely plan to stop by 18th & Vine for an enriching experience and to learn about baseball's international heritage!