ST. LOUIS – The Negro League is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the very first Negro League World Series back in 1924. Missouri played a major role in showcasing black talent on the diamond and producing major league legends.
The 1924 Colored World Series was a best-of-nine match-up. The Kansas City Monarchs represented Missouri. They were the longest-running franchise in the history of baseball’s Negro leagues.
At the World Series, the Monarchs defeated Hilldale five games to four. The Monarch’s produced more major league players than any other Negro League franchise. There was star power close to home as well.
The ‘St. Louis Stars’ played independently before they joined the National Negro League. The team’s original name was the ‘St. Louis Giants’, and it was formed in 1906. Hall of Famers ‘Cool Papa Bell,’ Mule Suttles, and Willie Wells played for the St. Louis Stars. They won three championships as part of the League from 1922–31.
To honor this inning of black history and baseball, there’s a Baseball Hall of Fame tribute to the Negro Leagues All-Star Game and the release of very special Negro Leagues Bobblehead Boxes. These honor the teams of the Negro Leagues, with some of the proceeds going to the player’s families.
