The Stockton Ports were proud to add to their efforts to promote literacy through baseball, by welcoming acclaimed author Larry Tye to Banner Island Ballpark on Thursday, June 18, to discuss his latest book about Negro Leagues star Satchel Paige, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend.”
The Ports and Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce hosted the appearance in support of the Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program, The Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County, and The Friends of the Stockton Public Library.
The Stockton Ports would like to thank the following people for their generous support. Without them, the Ports would not have been able to give away 350 copies of the new biography, “Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend” by acclaimed author Larry Tye to fans at the June 18 game.
•The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce
•Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library Summer Reading Program
•Library & Literacy Foundation for San Joaquin County
•The Friends of the Stockton Public Library Stockton Sports Commission
•United Way of San Joaquin County in honor of Gordon Medlin
•Comcast
•Goldstrand Planning Group
•California Water Service Company
•Humphrey’s College
•Stockton Delta Rotary
•F&M Bank
•Servicemaster Building Maintenance
•Mayor Ann Johnston
•Doug Wilhoit, Frank Ferral, and Mikki Gilbert Melvin Boles
•John & Francesca Vera
•Andy & Carol Prokop in memory of Gordon Medlin
•Bill Loyko & Susan Mora Loyko
•William Murray
•Gary Gillis
•Stephen Barney
•San Joaquin Sheriff Stephan Moore
•Marilyn Bewley
…and all of the fans and community members that supported this event in hopes of raising literacy awareness and the history and story of Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues.
“We are very proud to be able to work with the Mayor, Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and so many other groups to present this event,” said Ports President and General Manager Pat Filippone. “Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues are an important part of baseball history, and we are excited to be able to share such a well-researched book with so many children.