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“Untold Story” of Negro Leagues Celebrated at Philadelphia Exhibit

Baseball celebrates its history arguably more than any other sport, but some of the most passionate fans of the sport still might not know the untold story of the Philadelphia…

Negro Leagues: philadelphia Stars Memorial Park

Painting by David McShane, City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

Colin Newby for BBGI Philadelphia

Baseball celebrates its history arguably more than any other sport, but some of the most passionate fans of the sport still might not know the untold story of the Philadelphia Negro Leagues.

However, fans have the opportunity to discover the less-documented history of the local game with “A League Apart,” an exhibit at Cherry Street Pier open until August 24.

Celebrating The Philadelphia Negro Leagues

Carolyn Quick originally came up with the idea for “A League Apart” as part of a graduate school project at the University of the Arts.

While MLB statisticians work to incorporate the history of the Negro Leagues into their legacy, a city that played an irreplaceable role will bring recognition to a forgotten chapter of the game. 

The exhibit “showcases the importance of breaking barriers through the stories of the Philadelphia Negro Leagues and their ongoing legacy.”

It celebrates the players, owners, and teams who reversed the baseball traditions and enabled significant progress in professional sports.

The Untold Story of Philadelphia Baseball

Local baseball fans probably know the history of the Philadelphia Phillies. They’ve probably heard stories of Hall of Famer and Germantown native Roy Campanella.

They might’ve passed by the incredible mural art at Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park at 44th and Parkside Avenue, just a short ride down Belmont Ave. from 97.5 The Fanatic’s Bala Cynwyd studios.

However, Quick wants to expand that knowledge to include the untold story of the Philadelphia Negro Leagues. 

“You hear the names Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, but what about the stories of Philadelphia Stars’ Mahlon Duckett and ‘Slim’ Jones? In this exhibit, we highlight why the Negro Leagues are important, their formation, and their ongoing legacy so that people today can have a complete history of America's pastime." -Carolyn Quick

Octavius Catto and Ed Bolden became pioneers by creating opportunities for black players to play professionally despite the color ban in Major League Baseball.

Richard “Dick” Allen became of the most successful players in Phillies history despite facing serious racial discrimination during his professional career.

More recently, Mo’ne Davis carried on a legacy of major impact during a trip to the Little League World Series. 

“A League Apart” will showcase these four influential figures in local baseball history.

Learn their stories and enjoy limited-edition baseball cards during a trip to the exhibit.

Visit Cherry Street Pier on Columbus Blvd. below the Ben Franklin Bridge before August 24.

Admission is free, and guided tours are available.


The mid summer classic! Held in the middle of July, the MLB All-Star Game is a staple of the summer time because its time of the year where the four major sports arent active (in meaningful games.) Its when the best of the best get together in a meaningless game where everyone gets to play and most baseball fans dont seem to care.

I think the last time I actually watched the All-Star game was the last year that it counted for something. It was controversial, and many hated it, but the All-Star game deciding home field advantage in the World Series got me to tune in. At the time, the Phillies were good. So I was interested to see if they were to get to the World Series would they have home field advantage or not. Since 2017 the All-Star game hasnt mattered at all and I rarely tune in. But there is a point of pride when your team has multiple representatives.

As I write this (Thursday) there is still time for the Phillies to gain an extra representative because pitchers drop out last minute every year. As of right now the Phillies have one lone representative and its the very deserving Nick Castellanos. Castellanos has had a bounce back season hitting .310/.352/.514 with 40 extra base hits.

So Castellanos will represent the Phillies in 2023 but lets take a look back at the Phillies representatives of the past. Some of these will be a blast from the past since every team needs a representative and there were plenty of seasons where the Phillies were bad.

2023

Nick Castellanos (outfielder)

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

2022

Kyle Schwarber (outfielder)

Bryce Harper (outfielder)

Boston Red Sox v Philadelphia Phillies(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

2021

JT Realmuto (catcher)

Zach Wheeler (starting pitcher)

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

2020

MLB All Star Game was cancelled

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

2019

JT Realmuto (catcher)

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

2018

Aaron Nola (starting pitcher)

Philadelphia Phillies v Tampa Bay Rays

(Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

2017

Pat Neshek (relief pitcher....it was a down year for the Phils)

Washington Nationals  v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

2016

Odubel Herrera (outfielder)

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

2015

Jonathan Papelbon (relief pitcher)

Baltimore Orioles v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

2014

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Philadelphia Phillies v San Francisco Giants

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

2013

Domonic Brown! (outfielder)

Cliff Lee

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

2012

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Jonathan Papelbon (relief Pitcher)

Carlos Ruiz (Catcher)

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 05:  Pitcher Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the fourth nning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on July 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

2011

Shane Victorino (outfielder)

Cliff Lee (starting pitcher)

Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Placido Polanco (third basemen)

DENVER - MAY 12:  Starting pitcher Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 12, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Phillies 4-3 in 10 innings.

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

2010

Roy Halladay (starting pitcher)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Philadelphia Phillies v St Louis Cardinals - Game 3

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

2009

Jayson Werth (outfielder)

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Raul Ibanez (outfielder)

Shane Victorino (outfielder)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Atlanta Braves v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)

2008

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Brad Lidge (relief pitcher

Los Angeles Dodgers v Philadelphia Phillies, Game 5

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

2007

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Cole Hamels (starting pitcher)

Aaron Rowand (outfielder)

NLDS: Colorado Rockies v Philadelphia Phillies, Game 1

(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

2006

Chase Utley (second basemen)

Ryan Howard (first basemen)

Tom Gordon (relief pitcher)

Philadelphia Phillies v Washington Nationals

(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

2005

Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

Jimmy Rollins (shortstop)

Billy Wagner (relief pitcher)

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

(Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images)

2004

Bobby Abreu (outfielder)

Jim Thome (first basemen)

Philadelphia Phillies  v Oakland Athletics

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

2003

Randy Wolf (starting pitcher)

Cardinals v Phillies

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

2002

Scott Rolen (third basemen)

Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

Vicente Padilla (starting pitcher)

Scott Rolen

Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport

2001

Jimmy Rollins (short stop)

Phillies v Cardinals

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2000

Mike Liberthal (catcher)

Phillies v D''backs Lieberthal

Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle/ALLSPORT

Andrew Salciunas, “The Choonis,” has done it all at the station - screening calls, working events as a member of the street team, producing 7 days a week, doing updates, and now hosting his own show. Now with a wife and kid, his life experiences are far different than when he first started, but this “regular guy” knows how to relate to anyone. He writes about the Flyers, Phillies, Sixers, and Eagles.