On February 4, 1971, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announced that former Negro Leagues players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame.  Due to the controversy that Kuhn’s “separate but equal” Jim Crow-like announcement caused, on July 6, 1971, it was decided inclusion in the regular Hall of Fame was more fitting and more of an honor for the former Negro Leagues stars.  Satchel Paige, became the first Negro Leagues player inducted into Hall of Fame.