New York Black Yankees Night at TD Bank Ballpark

     On Saturday, August 2, the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, home to the Somerset Patriots stadium hosted a notable event honoring Negro League Baseball, paying tribute to the New York Black Yankees. The first 2,000 attendees received commemorative card strips featuring James Cobbin, John "Neck" Stanley, "Big George" Crowe, and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson upon entering the ballpark.

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      With an attendance of 6,527, I exhibited  my Negro League Baseball memorabilia collection. Hundreds of visitors attended my exhibit, demonstrating considerable enthusiasm and respect. Children among the visitors impressively displayed their knowledge of the league's history. A memorable highlight was the visit from two former Negro League players, Dennis Biddle and James W. Cobbin, who engaged with my exhibit and posed for a photograph. Also represented at this event was Hinchliffe  Stadium from Paterson, New Jersey.

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     Two former Negro Leagues players, James Cobbin and Dennis Biddle, participated in pregame ceremonies, including a Q&A moderated by WFAN's Keith McPherson, alongside Yankees great and New York Black Yankees ambassador Willie Randolph.

Cobbin and Biddle was available for meet and greet and signed autograph from the start of the game through about the 5th inning. Cobbin and Biddle signed autographs, with the first 100 attendees receiving blue armbands to stand in line. Patriots players and coaches wore special jerseys and hats with logos created to honor the Black Yankees. The jerseys were auctioned online to raise funds for the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum. The 40+ Double Dutch Club Plainfield jumped rope with fans, entertaining on the field. Partners for the event included SSAAM, Prince Rodgers Foundation, the City of Plainfield, and Renaissance Cyclists Defeating Cancer.

    The New York  Black Yankees was founded in Harlem as the Harlem Stars in 1931 by financier James "Soldier Boy" Semler and dancer Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. By 1932, the club was renamed the New York Black Yankees.

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     Thanks to ESPER, members Don Neal and Ashley Turnbull attended this event. The highlight came when my son Kristian and family drove up from Maryland for the weekend to see the game. This was the first time my granddaughters Charlotte and Kylie Mae seen my collection. My youngest granddaughter 3 years old Kylie Mae kept wanting to up to see if I was still here.  Other family members including my wife cousins Sharon and William Brown 3rd and there son William Brown 4th and his family.

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I would like to thank Dave Marek and James Killeen of the  Somerset Patriots organization  for allowing me to participate in this  special event.