Negro Leagues Legends Baseball Cards

Many of us are fans of Negro League history, filled with characters and talent, overlooked and ignored. Racism kept some of the greatest players from the game. We were fortunate to have Satchel join major league baseball near the end of his long and storied career. Aaron, Mays, Doby, Irvin, Newcombe and Robinson came to our game from the Negro Leagues. The player list is long. Can you imagine MLB history without them, without their contributions to the game?

February 13 marked the centennial of Negro League Baseball's beginnings in the Paseo YMCA, Kansas City, Missouri. For the collector, this is a baseball card opportunity! A complete 184 card set based on the work of celebrated sports artist Graig Kreindler is available for purchase through Negro Leagues History, limited to 5000 sets, numbered on the box.

$59.95

I wasted zero time hitting the paypal button. Within two days, I had this complete set in my hands. Overall I'm pleased with these cards. They will present well in a binder, one card per pocket.  Some of the cards are dark, perhaps in keeping true to the original painting.

There are three women featured within the set. Each has a bobble head. I love Peanut Johnson's bobble. It's on my holiday wish-list. I do not need but WANT it, having always been drawn to the Clowns uniform. Can't imagine why...

There are many other bobbles available, as well. The Negro Leagues Museum is offering an array of items too, sweet varsity jackets and t-shirts.  But if you want baseball cards, the Negro Leagues History site has them.

If I had to choose a favorite NLBM player, it's easily Buck O'Neil. I discovered him as many did - within Ken Burns' baseball series. I read Buck's 'The Soul of Baseball' and found it hard to put down, hearing his voice all the way through to the last page. It's time to put this man in Cooperstown. His contributions to Negro League history are immeasurable with his efforts to establish the museum in Kansas City and his push to seat Negro Leaguers in the Hall.  He was overlooked for entry but remained humble. Buck's words:

   God's been good to me. They didn't think Buck was good enough to be in the Hall of Fame. 

   That's the way they thought about it and that's the way it is, so we're going to live with that. 

   Now, if I'm a Hall of Famer for you, that's all right with me. Just keep loving old Buck. 

   Don't weep for Buck. No, man, be happy, be thankful.

I love you, Buck.