Fireflies Launch New Volunteer Fundraising Opportunity

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COLUMBIA, SC – The Columbia Fireflies today announced a new in-game volunteer program to help benefit local organizations seeking ways to fundraise. The Fireflies are looking for dedicated volunteers who are passionate about giving back to the community to join the Fireflies game day team. Organizations who participate in the Volunteer Fundraising Program will work alongside Fireflies staff members in a concession stand or in the SCU Kids Zone during Fireflies games to raise money for their organization, event or cause. Organizations eligible for the program include, but are not limited to, Parent Teacher Associations, Booster Clubs, Community Event Planning Committees, Rotary Clubs and other Non-Profit Organizations.

The Volunteer Fundraising Program requires each organization to provide a minimum of six (6) volunteers to work four (4) games during the upcoming 2022 season. After volunteers complete their four games of service, the Fireflies will donate $750 to their organization in recognition of their time. Should organizations have more than six volunteers, the Fireflies will donate an additional $125 for each volunteer who participates in the program.

“This program provides a unique opportunity for fans to see what it’s like to help make life-long memories at Segra Park from our Game Day worker’s perspective,” said Fireflies Team President, Brad Shank. “It is also a great way for us to give back to different non-profits and organizations in our community. We’re really excited to have a positive impact on a lot of different organizations in the Midlands through the launch of this volunteer program.”

Fireflies home games are primarily staffed by the Fireflies Game day Experience Team who help make a trip to Segra Park an unforgettable experience for hundreds of thousands of fans each year. Volunteers in the Volunteer Fundraising Program will work right alongside Game day Experience Team members. In concessions, volunteers will work in various locations throughout the ballpark running registers and assisting with food and order preparation. In the SCU Kids Zone, volunteers will assist with Kids Zone ticket sales and will work to ensure the safety of children on the inflatables.

Organizations can learn more and sign up for the new Volunteer Fundraising Program online here.

The Fireflies 2022 season begins at Segra Park Friday, April 8 at 7:05 pm vs the Augusta GreenJackets (the Class-A Affiliate of the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves) and features a post-game firework show. Tickets for Opening Night, and all 2022 Fireflies home games, are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at FirefliesTickets.com, by calling the Fireflies Box Office at 803-726-4487 or by visiting the Fireflies Box Office in-person at Segra Park. Individual game ticket prices range from $5 to $12 and premium seating options are available starting at $14 per person. All tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis and are based upon availability.

GreenJackets looking to fill all positions for the 2022 season

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Media Advisory

GreenJackets Media Contact:

(803) 349-9467

[email protected]

SRP Park Gameday Employee Job Fair

GreenJackets looking to fill all positions for the 2022 season

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: SRP Park and the Augusta GreenJackets are hosting a Gameday Job Fair on Thursday, March 24th from 5pm-8pm for seasonal positions for the Augusta GreenJackets 2022 baseball season and SRP Park Special Events.

Candidates must be 16 years of age to apply, must be able to pass a background check, and must be able to work all home games (April – Labor Day) and additional events as needed.

Job Fair Details:

Who: Anyone 16 or older who is Reliable, Outgoing, Hardworking job seekers

What: GreenJackets All Positions Game Day Job Fair

Where: WOW! Club of SRP Park’s 187 Railroad Ave. North Augusta, SC 29841 (Enter next to Rio Cantina)

When: Thursday, March 24th 5PM-8PM

Registration: Job seekers should anticipate filling out a candidate form onsite and the interview process taking no longer than 30 minutes, applicants will be hired onsite.

We are looking to fill the following positions for applicants:

Box Office Attendant

Facilities and Grounds Crew

Cleaning Crew

Security

Retail Clerks, Cashiers & Vendors

Game Day Entertainment Staff

Guest Services

Videoboard Operators

Bat/Ball Boys/Girls

Camera and Sound Crew

Ticket Takers

Kid’s Zone Attendants

Cash Room Attendants

Cashiers

Parking Lot Attendants

Cooks

Line Managers

Wait Staff

Suite Services

Expeditors

Stand Managers

Cash Room Attendants

As a member of the GreenJackets staff, gameday employees will receive the following additional benefits:

  • Complimentary Tickets for friends and family to select GreenJackets games
  • GreenJackets Staff Shirt and Hat for the season
  • GreenJackets Merchandise Employee Discount
  • Opportunity to be entered into an incentive program to win special prizes at the end of the season
  • GreenJackets Game Day Employee end of the season staff party

The ideal candidate must be trustworthy, outgoing, reliable, and enthusiastic. All applicants must be 16 years of age or older by April 8 in order to work for the GreenJackets and SRP Park. Previous employees need not apply. To learn more about opportunities available visit: https://www.milb.com/augusta/ballpark/gj-employment-opportunities

The Augusta GreenJackets saw success off the field ranking #1 in the Low-A League in attendance (out of 30) and ranked in the Top 20 in all of Minor League Baseball (out of 120). SRP Park welcomes over 275,000 fans through the gates annually between GreenJackets Baseball and Special Events, which includes the upcoming Battle on the River game between Augusta University vs. USC Aiken, the Augusta Craft Beer Festival and more!

To stay up to date on all things GreenJackets tickets, promotions calendar updates follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and sign up for the ‘Jackets Buzz e-newsletter today by visiting https://bit.ly/AGJBuzz

*About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets *

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Single-A Affiliate of the 2021 World Champion Atlanta Braves playing in the state of the art SRP Park located in North Augusta, SC. 2022 Augusta GreenJackets season seat memberships and single game tickets are on sale now. To learn more about the benefits and to get in on the action, visit www.gjmembers.com or call (803) 349-WINS (9467).

SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, “playball” development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class “A” office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.

-GreenJackets –

Behind the Seam: The fight for inclusivity in baseball

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The echo of singing begins to fade as the service slowly comes to an end. As people begin to rush out of the church, Xavier Duckett heads to execute the rest of his Sunday routine at his grandparents house; consuming a meal prepared by his grandmother, followed by a game of catch in the backyard with his grandfather.

The Southwest Virginia native’s love for baseball was sparked when his grandfather, Lucion David Sweetenburg Sr., introduced him to the sport. Together the two would play catch in the backyard, practice hitting and discuss their favorite players.

“Anyone who encountered my grandfather knew that baseball was his thing and it’s what he really advocated for,” Duckett said. “He had a shed full of baseball equipment and we played all the time. He would even hang a tire in the backyard for us to practice throwing accurately.”

Sweetenburg’s passion for the game started as a young boy residing in Roanoke in the 1940s, after learning the ins and outs of the sport and admiring superstars like Hank Aaron, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds. Those names have now since grown less and less popular among baseball fans today, as representation for African American athletes and fans has started to decline in recent years.

Today, the majority of major league and minor league baseball rosters consist of white players and coaching staff with Dave Roberts and Dusty Baker Jr. being the only two African American managers in the Majors. The lack of diversity in front offices is also alarming as the list of owners, executives and CEOs is similar.

Ray Doswell, the Vice President of Curatorial Services for the Negro League Baseball Museum, has been part of important conversations and research investigating into the decline within in the sport.

“Representation matters and you cannot say that people of color aren’t interested in the game because they have been since the beginning and still are,” Doswell said. “If they did not care the Negro League would not exist. Fans will want to come to games when they feel welcome.”

Doswell has been part of the museum since 1995 and is in charge of collecting artifacts, archives and helping with educational programs.

Aside from the question surrounding the lack of diversity in the stands, Doswell has looked deeply into how the scarcity of African American players is noticeable on all levels of professional baseball.

“There is no feeder system of talent for black athletes to play in their youth which means they usually do not play through high school,” Doswell said. “Since they don’t go to compete in college baseball, there is no minor league opportunity that leads them to the pros.”

While the first sport he ever played was baseball, he later moved exclusively to football in his middle school years after seeing the sport in mainstream media and having more resources for the game in his community.

“In a dominantly black area football and basketball were catered to us more than baseball, so they were more popular to play,” Duckett said.

Though he excelled on the football field and basketball court for North Side High School, he decided to add baseball back into the mix his senior year. Despite leaving the field for a few seasons, he was still surrounded by passion for the game with the influence of his grandfather and knew he could compete at the varsity level.

The only concern from his family after he made his decision to dust off his cleats were the obstacles he would face as an athlete of color.

“My grandfather was really excited for me to start playing again, he even got me new equipment to use,” Duckett said. “The issues I would face as the only black player on the team was something my family was concerned about, but we knew it was unavoidable.”

Behind the scenes he dealt with hardships from every angle.

“There is so much I had to deal with on the internal side, that it made me question if returning was the right decision,” Duckett said.“Knowing I was the only black player on my high school team, I saw a bigger vision of how this could play into my future.”

After graduating high school in 2009, Duckett attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk to play Division I football. After a successful undergraduate career, he left with a bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in sociology and returned to the Roanoke area.

Once he returned to his hometown, Duckett found his passion for educating and empowering black youth. In 2015 he started The Humble Hustle Co., a non-profit organization that provides resources for youth programs and highlights the importance of giving back.

To increase awareness of Humble Hustle’s mission, Duckett created shirts with the message: Keep Giving. After selling the shirts in various places successfully, he birthed the HMBLE HSTLE Clothing line. Fundraising events and donations from the community primarily have helped the company provide scholarships for girls, outdoor exposure events for inner city youth, and supplies to underprivileged youth. Additionally, the clothing line has helped fund programs including Humble Hikes which provides outdoor recreation to inner-city youth, and Pretty Humble, an empowerment program for young girls.

Duckett hopes that his story paired with his love for baseball, along with passion for Humble Hustle, can help bring awareness to the lack of diversity. Just as his grandfather did with him, he also hopes to pass down a great deal of baseball knowledge and opportunities to the younger generations.

“I think having these conversations regarding the poor treatment and exclusivity makes people uncomfortable. But it’s what needs to happen if there is going to be change, not just here but everywhere,” Duckett said. “Since graduating high school, I have used my fearlessness and passion to help others towards the progression in inclusivity.”

There are many local and nationwide resources available to learn about the history of African American baseball and culture. Resources include the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, and the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, based in Roanoke.

June 18, the Salem Red Sox are hosting African American Heritage Night at the ballpark for the third time in the team’s history. The first time the event occurred was during the 2018 season, and the second during the 2021 season.

Salem’s General Manager, Allen Lawrence, understands the importance of making the ballpark a welcoming environment.

“I think it is really important to have nights like this to reach different parts of the community because it shows that the ballpark is for everyone,” Lawrence said. “Overall, it creates an opportunity to get the ball rolling to be more inclusive and have people comfortable coming back to more games in the future.”

Woodpeckers Fund Sponsors ASYMCA’s Deployment Story Time

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The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will sponsor the launch of ASYMCA’s new Deployment Story Time Program. The goal of the program is to provide support to children and military spouses due to the recent deployment of soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg. Included in the program is a read-along story, a free book and a snack and craft related to the theme of the month. The program will run once a month until the end of 2022 and is set to begin in March.

The Woodpeckers Foundation donated $3,300 to the initiative, which includes the funding of snacks, crafts and a take-home copy of each month’s book. Deployment and patriotism will be the main themes for the program while service members are overseas. The Woodpeckers Foundation will also support ASYMCA’s Month of the Military Child Fair at the end of April.

The Woodpeckers Foundation strives to support youth sports and military initiatives. For more information on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers or the Woodpeckers Foundation, please visit www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com. The Woodpeckers open their third season of play in Kannapolis on April 8th and return for their home opener on April 12th against the Salem Red Sox.

Shorebirds to Host Walk-In Wednesdays Job Interviews!

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Salisbury, MD — The Delmarva Shorebirds and Professional Sports Catering will be hosting Walk-In Wednesdays with open interviews starting March 2 from 3-6 PM to fill various gameday roles. Professional Sports Catering is looking to fill the positions of cooks, suite attendants, catering attendants, and cashiers for the 2022 Shorebirds season.

How it works: Interested applicants can arrive to Arthur W. Perdue Stadium between 3-6 PM on Wednesdays, interview, and potentially be hired on the spot for the Shorebirds 2022 season! The whole process should take less than 30 minutes and all applicants are encouraged to fill out an application early by clicking here to expedite the process.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Shorebirds front office at 410-219-3112 or e-mail [email protected].

The Nine: Former Mudcats making a difference with the Players Alliance

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Founded in part by former Carolina Mudcats outfielder Cameron Maybin, the Players Alliance is a nonprofit that was formed in the summer of 2020 by a group of more than 100 current and former Black MLB and MiLB players.

The Players Alliance has since grown to over 150 members, and has made major strides in accomplishing the goals set forth at its inception. Those goals include using the collective voice and platform of its roster of participating players to create new opportunities for the Black community in all areas of baseball and society.

Cameron Maybin with the 2008 Carolina Mudcats
NIKOLAUS

The Players Alliance roster features several former Mudcats including Maybin (2008 Mudcats), Quintin Berry (2011 Mudcats), Devin Williams (2018 Mudcats), Monte Harrison (2017 Mudcats), Corey Ray (2017 Mudcats), Troy Stokes Jr. (2017 Mudcats), Dillon Thomas (2018 Mudcats), and Travis Demeritte (2016 Mudcats).

That extensive list of former Mudcats also includes catcher and utility man Zavier Warren who played for Carolina during the 2021 season.

“My involvement (with the Players Alliance) started the year I was drafted,” said Warren. “The Players Alliance reached out and invited all of the African-American players from that draft (2020) to join a Zoom call with guys like Curtis Granderson and Dusty Baker. They let us know that we could contact them if we ever needed anything. They also let us know about the history and goals of the Players Alliance program.”

“I thought it was important to join mainly because many of these guys have done what I’m hoping to do,” added Warren. “Their guidance is very helpful in helping me achieve my goal of making the big leagues. It’s great to have a network of guys to lean on and reach out to, especially other Black players.”

The Brewers selected Warren in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of Central Michigan. He was primarily an infielder in college but was drafted by the Brewers as a catcher. Warren would later make his professional debut in 2021 with the Mudcats and split his playing time playing in the infield and behind the plate. He sees himself as a utility player moving forward, but is eager to continue on the catching path.

“There haven’t been many Black catchers,” said Warren. “It’s a small group of guys, and I want to see if I can join that group of big-league catchers. I think it can be impactful for me to make it as a catcher and maybe inspire a kid that might look like me to pursue that position as well.”

“That’s where I hope I can make an impact with the Players Alliance too. A big part of what they do is getting kids involved in the game at an early age.”

Warren appeared in 53 games and hit .251/.374/.471 with a .845 OPS, eight doubles, 10 homers and 30 RBI with the Mudcats in 2021. He later finished the season with High-A Wisconsin where he would hit .267/.357/.400 with a .757 OPS over 36 games.

Warren was also one of several top prospects selected by the Brewers to participate in “Build-Up Camp” and early Spring Training ahead of the 2022 season.

Read More about 2022 Build-Up Camp

Learn More about the Players Alliance

Black History Month Feature: Shorebirds Top 5 Black Players 

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In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for Delmarva Shorebirds.

CEDRIC MULLINS

Cedric Mullins, 27, started his major league career after being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Making his MLB debut in 2018, Mullins developed across 4 different minor league teams, including the Delmarva Shorebirds in 2016 where he earned his first Orioles Organizational All-Star nod.

Raised in Snellville, Georgia where he attended Brookside High School, Mullins began his collegiate career at Louisburg College before transferring to Campbell University becoming the first person from Louisburg to make the MLB. After joining the Orioles organization, Mullins played parts of 5 seasons in the minors highlighted by his 2016 season with the Shorebirds where he hit .273 with 14 home runs, 55 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 124 games.

After Delmarva, Mullins continued his upward trajectory moving up to Double-A and Triple-A the next few seasons bouncing between the Bowie Baysox and the Norfolk Tides. In 2018, Mullins got the call up from the O’s making his MLB debut on August 10, 2018.

Mullins debut was against the Red Sox bringing in 3 hits, 2 RBI, drawing a walk, and scoring 3 runs. Mullins’ fast start helped make a name for himself becoming the first Oriole in franchise history to earn three hits in his MLB debut and became only one of five players in MLB history to score three or more runs and collect two or more base hits in his debut.

From there, Mullins has continued to perfect is craft which shined through recently during the 2021 campaign. In 2021, Mullins hit for a .291 batting average and .518 slugging percentage turning in an impressive 30/30 season. Mullins dominant season resulted in being named a 2021-22 MLB All-Star as well as earning a Silver Slugger in the outfield.

MYCHAL GIVENS

Mychal Givens’ journey throughout the majors has been one to remember for the Delmarva Shorebirds and Orioles fans alike. Having a high school career that turned heads of MLB scouts, Givens has been racking up accolades throughout his baseball career.

During his high school playing days, Givens dominated winning two All-State selections and was selected to be in the Aflac All-American High School baseball game. Not stopping there, Givens earned the Jackie Robinson Award, given to the nation’s best high school baseball player, capping off a stellar high school career as one of the most highly touted prospects in 2009.

Instead of electing to play in college, Givens was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as the 54th overall selection in the 2009 MLB draft. Entering the Orioles organization, Givens began his professional career as a shortstop with Delmarva before making the transition to the mound where he found his path to the big leagues.

After being brought back up to Delmarva in 2013, this time as a pitcher, Givens pitched 42.2 innings recording 36 strikeouts with a 4.22 ERA. After 5 years in the minors, Givens got the call-up to the Orioles on June 24, 2015 where he tossed a scoreless inning, striking out one batter.

Givens’ role throughout his tenure with the Orioles varied. Being used as a set-up man, relief pitcher, and sometimes a starter, Givens found himself in a utility role being able to fill many gaps in any pitching staff. Traded to Colorado and then Cincinnati at the end of the 2020 season, Givens ended his time with Baltimore notching a 3.32 ERA, 20 saves, and a WHIP rating of 1.137.

WILLIE HARRIS

Willie Harris continues to be one of the most memorable second basemen to ever play for the Shorebirds spending the better part of two seasons on the Eastern Shore including the 2000 championship season for Delmarva. Harris, recently selected to the Shorebirds silver anniversary team, was a table-setter for the Shorebirds scoring 106 runs in 2000 etching himself into the history books as no Shorebird has come within 15 runs of his single-season runs scored record.

The championship season was just the beginning for Harris. He jumped straight to Double-A Bowie in 2001, hitting .305 with 54 stolen bases in a full season with the Baysox. The O’s rewarded him with a September callup on September 2, 2001, and he played nine games with Baltimore to close out the season. His time at Camden Yards was brief, though; the Orioles traded him to the White Sox that offseason.

Harris became a key contributor for the White Sox, playing in 313 games for Chicago over the next four seasons. In 2006, Harris joined the Red Sox as a free agent and bounced around between the Braves, Nationals, Mets, and Reds before calling it quits in 2012 at age 34. He played in 1046 games over his 12 major league seasons, batting .238 with 39 home runs and 212 RBIs and 365 runs scored.

DARNELL MCDONALD

Darnell McDonald was a journeyman in MLB as an outfielder and member of the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and the Chicago Cubs after beginning his professional baseball career in Delmarva in 1998.

Originally a dual-sport athlete in baseball and football at Cherry Creek High School, McDonald was a two-time baseball All-American and essential contributor to one of the most successful high school sports dynasties in Colorado history. Exiting high school as a highly touted prospect, McDonald was recruited to play both football and baseball before making the decision to focus strictly on baseball.

Drafted late in the first round with the 26th overall pick in the 1997 MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles, the Colorado native found his way to Delmarva quickly in his first season in the O’s system. Garnering high expectations as a first round draft pick, McDonald want on to have an illustrious career in the minors including a 134 game stint with the Shorebirds that fans surely will remember.

With Delmarva in 1998 after just 4 games in Frederick to start the year, McDonald was a force at the plate and on the bases. In that season alone, McDonald slugged for a .261 average and stole 35 bases which ended up being a professional career high. The success in Delmarva was just the beginning as McDonald would then quickly work his way up through the Orioles farm system on his journey to Baltimore.

In 2003, McDonald earned the call up to Triple-A Affiliate before eventually punching his ticket to the big leagues making his Major League Baseball debut on April 30, 2004. McDonald ended his career in Baltimore playing in just 17 games, before joining various other teams with his most notable seasons with the ’09 Cincinnati Reds and ’10 Boston Red Sox.

TIM RAINES JR.

Tim Raines Jr. is a name that stands out and is by far one of the most recognized players from his time with the Delmarva Shorebirds. Raines, son of MLB Hall Of Famer Tim Raines, attended Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida playing center field and entering the prospect circuit as a very promising player.

The Baltimore Orioles selected Raines in the 6th round pick, 189th overall, in the 1998 MLB draft. Coming to Delmarva in 1999, Raines quickly made a name for himself playing in 117 games collecting 103 hits with 34 extra-base hits. From there Raines quickly moved his way up through the minor league ranks making his MLB debut on October 1st, 2001.

On October 4th, 2001, Tim Raines Junior and Tim Raines Senior would become just the second father-son duo to play together in MLB history (first being Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.). Raines did not play for Baltimore in 2002 but returned for another two seasons in ‘03. In three total seasons for the O’s, Raines hit .213 with seven RBI and no home runs in 75 total games.

Black History Month: Five of the Top Black Players in Clearwater History

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at some of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for Clearwater.

Ron Jones (1986)

After turning down draft offers in 1982 and 1983, Ron Jones signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent in 1984.

During his 108-game stint with Clearwater in 1986, the outfielder led the team in every offensive category aside from home runs and led the Florida State League in batting average (.371), hits (153), slugging percentage (.524), on-base percentage (.423) and triples (12). His stand-out numbers led to Jones being voted FSL MVP. It would have been a unanimous decision, but since teams are not allowed to vote for their own player, Jones did not get the two votes from Clearwater representatives.

Jones was part of the first duo of players to win a Paul Owens Award, an honor given out annually since 1986 to the best position player and pitcher in the Phillies minor league system.

The left-handed hitter had thirteen game-winning RBIs for the Single-A team before skipping Double-A and being promoted straight to the Triple-A club (Portland).

Jones made his major league debut on August 26, 1988, for the Philadelphia Phillies. In just 33 games to finish out the 1988 season, Jones drove in 26 runs including eight home runs for the big-league club. However, Jones’ major league career was plagued with injuries to both knees that ultimately ended his flourishing career. After retiring from the game in 2000, Jones turned to coaching and eventually opened the Big League Batting Academy in Houston, Texas, along with former teammate Charlie Hayes.

Jimmy Rollins (1998)

Jimmy Rollins was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the second round of the 1996 June Amateur Draft out of Encinal High School (Alameda, CA).

At 18 years old, Rollins was the youngest member of the 1998 Clearwater (A+) team. The switch hitter totaled a .244 batting average with six home runs in 119 games with the Florida State League club. As a shortstop with Clearwater, Rollins carried a league-best .952 fielding percentage. His top-notch fielding earned Rollins a spot on the mid-season FSL All-Star Team.

He made his big-league debut with the Phillies on September 17, 2000. During his sixteen-year career, he led the National League in triples four times. He is a three-time All-Star (2001, 2002, 2005), was named the National League MVP in 2007, won the Gold Glove award four times (2007 – 2009, 2012), and garnered a Silver Slugger award in 2007. The shortstop played an important role in the Phillies’ 2008 World Series Championship and was honored at the end of the season with a Fielding Bible Award as the top shortstop that season. Rollins was inducted into both the Clearwater Phillies and Threshers Wall of Fame and the Florida State League Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a co-recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award in 2014.

After he retired from playing in 2017, Rollins returned to the Phillies as a special advisor for the team and acted as an on-air commentator for television broadcasts.

Ryan Howard (2003)

Ryan Howard was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the 2001 MLB Draft out of Missouri State University.

Howard spent the entirety of the 2003 season with the Clearwater Phillies. He was voted Florida State League MVP, named Best Power Prospect in the FSL, and led the league in three categories: average (.304), home runs (23), and slugging percentage (.514). He was the 2003 and 2004 recipient of the Paul Owens award and played in the 2003 All-Star Futures game.

The first baseman was a September call-up for the Phillies on September 1, 2004. Howard was named National League Rookie of the Year in 2005 after leading all rookies with 22 home runs and posting a .288 average and 63 RBI in just 88 games. Nicknamed “The Big Piece”, Howard is known for being the player to reach 100 home runs and 200 home runs the quickest. He spent his entire 13-year career playing for the Phillies.

The lefty was awarded National League MVP in 2006, finishing the season with a .313 batting average 58 home runs, and 149 RBI. He was part of the 2008 Phillies World Series Championship team contributing six RBI including three home runs during the series. Howard was inducted into the Clearwater Phillies and Threshers Wall of Fame in 2016.

Greg Golson (2006)

Greg Golson was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft out of John B. Connally High School (Austin, TX).

Golson made his professional debut that summer with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, hitting .295 in 47 games. After continuing to show power and speed in Lakewood with a .264 average and 25 stolen bases, Golson was added to the squad in Clearwater late in 2006. He started the 2007 campaign back in Clearwater, and in 99 games with the Threshers that year, Golson hit .285 with 12 long balls and 52 RBI to land himself a spot on the Florida State League All-Star team. His 139 games with the Threshers make him the first-round pick to play in the most games with the Clearwater club.

Golson appeared in the 2008 futures game and made his major league debut the same year as a September call-up with the Philadelphia Phillies. The outfielder was traded to the Texas Rangers in 2009 and played the next two years with the New York Yankees before making his final appearance in September of 2011. Golson was later hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of their pro scouting department in 2019.

Quintin Berry (2008)

Quintin Berry was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the 2006 MLB Draft out of San Diego State University.

Berry began his career in Batavia (A) and led the club in walks. He was a Paul Owens award recipient in 2007 before joining the squad in Clearwater in 2008. The speedster had the most stolen bases (51) in the Florida State League and throughout the entire Phillies Minor League system. He was the only player to represent the Threshers on the 2008 Postseason All-Star team.

The outfielder was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres and played around the minor leagues with the Padres, Mets, Reds, and Tigers organizations. Berry made his major league debut with the Tigers on May 23, 2012. He set an American League record for most bases stolen without being caught stealing (21). Berry earned a World Series ring in 2013 as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement for the Boston Red Sox, swiping three postseason bases.

Berry transitioned into coaching after his retirement in 2018. In 2019, he became the Milwaukee Brewers outfield and base running coordinator and in 2021 he was promoted to the major league coaching staff as the first base coach.

Kannapolis Baseball Black History Month Feature: Micah Johnson

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In honor of Black History month, the Cannon Ballers will highlight former Kannapolis ball players who have not just made a name for themselves on the diamond, but players who have continued to make strides off the field to better others.

Typically, when a professional baseball player’s career ends, the vision for their next journey in life might not be as crystal clear as one would think. However, in Micah Johnson’s case, his future life’s canvas could not be more perfectly painted.

Johnson was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, just 50 miles north of where he attended college in Bloomington, home to the Indiana Hoosiers. After two highly successful seasons in the Big Ten, earning second team All-Big Ten honors, the infielder was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the ninth round of the 2012 MLB Draft.

Once he received his promotion to the Intimidators 2013, Johnson tore up the South Atlantic League, putting up one of the most memorable seasons in Kannapolis baseball history. During his 77 games, Johnson slashed .342/.422/.530 at the plate, leading the team in triples (11), stolen bases (61), and walks (40), while also placing in the top five in 13 other offensive categories.

Johnson quickly climbed his way through the Chicago system and by the beginning of the 2015 season, the Indiana native earned a spot on the Opening Day roster for the White Sox, batting ninth and playing second base. Wasting no time at all, he recorded his first MLB hit in his second at-bat that day. Johnson went on to play in 36 games in 2015, batting .230 with 10 runs scored and three stolen bases.

Following his first year at the MLB level, Johnson was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers with there still being upside to his young career. However, during spring training in 2016, Dodger’s manager Dave Roberts asked a question that quite possibly changed the rest of Johnson’s career focus moving forward. Roberts wanted to know what they like to do in their spare time and for them to share it to the entire team. Not wanting to play the piano in front of everyone, Johnson answered art, sparking a connection with a love that he had never fully committed to.

After just one year in L.A., the Atlanta Braves traded for Johnson before the start of the 2017 season, throwing his baseball journey another curveball. Johnson spent the majority of his time in the minor leagues with both the Dodgers and Braves organizations, surpassing only 25 games played in the majors over the two-year span.

With his baseball career slowly coming to an end after a season with the Durham Bulls in 2018, Johnson decided to shift his focus to art, making the leap and officially retiring from baseball.

The artist began his new career in New Hampshire, learning to express himself on a canvas in an art studio, instead of on a baseball diamond in front of thousands of fans, although, the fans surely came running to Johnson soon again.

“Mom, can astronauts be black?” This powerful quote, spoken by his four-year old nephew, helped shape Johnson’s artwork and mindset.

Johnson’s new mission for his work: Inspire racial equality throughout all demographics, while emphasizing the need for young African-American’s to chase their dreams without limitations.

Johnson’s niche mindset proved successful early, as he began to orchestrate and sell his brilliant artwork by using the fast-growing medium of NFT’s.

On October 28, 2020, the former MLB player unveiled Sä-v(ə-)rən-tē, presenting an astronaut on one side of a closed door in an open field, with two young African-American kids (his nephews) on the other side. Each year, the programmable artwork will see the door open more and more on their birthdays, with fans having the ability to give to Johnson’s nephew’s dreams of achieving anything that they set their mind to. His nephews will share what their future goals are each year, allowing the consumer to fully understand the purpose of this well-thought-out piece of work. Making his work even more unique, all viewers will only be able to give back by the use of Bitcoin.

Following its release, ‘Sä-v(ə-)rən-tē was sold for $120,000 at an auction, making it the second highest sale for an NFT art piece at that time.

After selling his most beloved piece of art, Johnson has since constructed many other depictions of his nephews in an astronaut suit and helmet, with other pictures still gaining a wealth of online traction for their powerful stance on equality needed throughout America.

Johnson continues to push the art boundaries with the help of Art Angels, a Los Angeles based art company that showcases his work. For more information on Johnson, his story, and his work, visit https://www.artangels.net/art/micah-johnson.

Schedule for RiverDogs 2022 Youth Summer Camps Unveiled

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Whether children have dreams of becoming a star on the field or in the kitchen, The Joe has become the place to learn valuable skills during the summer. On Wednesday, the Charleston RiverDogs announced that registration is open for a full schedule of youth baseball and culinary camps hosted by the team.

The RiverDogs will hold five baseball camps this summer, each featuring daily sessions Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The camps include stations in hitting, pitching, base running, speed and agility, warm-up and stretching, and fundamentals. Camps are open to children ages 6-13. Weekly registration is $315 per camper, while individual day sessions can also be purchased for $70 each.

Chris Singleton, the RiverDogs Director of Community Outreach and former professional baseball player, and his team will lead the quartet of camps in June, July and August. Singleton was a standout outfielder at Goose Creek High School and Charleston Southern University which led to the Chicago Cubs drafting him in 2017. He spent two seasons playing in the Cubs farm system.

“The RiverDogs have always made it part of our mission to instill a love of baseball in future generations and baseball camps are a big part of that effort, said RiverDogs president Dave Echols. “Chris and the other instructors do a great job of teaching baseball fundamentals while having fun. There is never a shortage of smiles around the ballpark on camp days.”

The dates for 2022 RiverDogs Youth Baseball Camps are:
Week 1 – June 13-17
Week 2 – June 20-24
Week 3 – July 11-15
Week 4 – July 25-29
Week 5 – August 8-12

The team will also host three unique culinary camps this summer. A Segra Club Culinary Camp in June will focus on preparing meals that would be primarily served in an upscale environment. A Food Truck Camp from the end of June to the first of July will educate campers on making fun street foods in an outdoor setting. Finally, the RiverDogs Concession Camp in August will teach participants how to make some of the fan-favorites that are served in the concession stands on gamedays.

The one-week camps will feature daily sessions running from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Each day will begin with proper station set-up, include basic cooking skills and conclude with a new lunch dish, which the campers will dine on. Culinary camp is $350 per camper for the week.

The culinary camps will be directed by RiverDogs Vice President/Food and Beverage Josh Shea. Shea served as the Food and Beverage Director for the RiverDogs from 2013-18 and spent the 2019 season with the Augusta GreenJackets before returning to Charleston in the winter of 2019. He gained culinary experience as the catering chef at Tidewater Catering while also spending time at Triangle Bar and Char and Halls Chop House.

“I am looking forward to hosting three unique camps that will provide kids an opportunity to learn about the different aspects of the RiverDogs dining experience,” Shea said. “Since their debut back in 2020, these camps are circled on my calendar each season. The excitement that learning something new brings to the faces of these children is awesome to witness and be a part of.”

The dates for 2022 RiverDogs Youth Culinary Camps are:
Segra Club Culinary Camp – June 13-17
Food Truck Camp – June 27-July 1
RiverDogs Concession Food Camp – August 1-5

Registration for all youth summer camps is open now. Click Here to register.

The RiverDogs will open the 2022 season at home against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Friday, April 8. Season tickets, flexible ticket plans, and group tickets, including options to the Segra Club at Riley Park, are available at riverdogs.com/tickets or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS). The Segra Club is also open for events year-round. Visit segraclub.com for more information.

Now Accepting National Anthem Submissions

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FANS CAN SUBMIT A VIDEO AUDITION FOR A CHANCE TO PERFORM AT PELICANS BALLPARK THIS SEASON

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are now accepting online National Anthem auditions for the 2022 season. Fans can submit their video HERE. All ages are welcome to submit, however, a submission does not guarantee a spot to perform during the season.

Vocalists, musicians and groups are welcome to submit. Please note that all vocalists must sing without a music track. Additionally, all performances must be 90 seconds or less. Submissions will be accepted through March 27 at midnight.

For more information, please contact the Pelicans Front Office at 843-918-6000.

The Pelicans’ 2022 season will begin on April 12 against the Augusta GreenJackets. Season tickets are available now. For more information visit MyrtleBeachPelicans.com, call (843) 918-6000, or visit the Pelicans Front Office.

RiverDogs to Hold Job Fairs for Gameday Positions

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In preparation for the 2022 season, the Charleston RiverDogs will host job fairs on Saturday, February 12 and Saturday, February 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. Opportunities remain for qualified candidates to fill several part-time, seasonal positions for RiverDogs home games.

Positions are available in a variety of roles for applicants with varying levels of experience. The work environment at The Joe is full of energy and based around the idea of creating fun. RiverDogs employees are relied upon to foster a fun and enjoyable environment for guests at the ballpark. Some of the available positions include:

Food & Beverage cooks at any level of experience (cooking with a smoker is a plus!)
Restaurant Cook/Food Prep for Segra Club
Cashiers
Picnic Staff
Servers
Food Runners
Grounds Crew
Stadium Operations Assistant
Ushers
Ticket Scanners
ID Checkers
Kids Zone Staff
Janitorial Staff
Parking Squad
Gameday Production Crew

Applicants are encouraged to dress appropriately and bring two forms of ID.

The RiverDogs will open the 2022 season at home against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on Friday, April 8. Season tickets, flexible ticket plans, and group tickets, including options to the Segra Club at Riley Park, are available at riverdogs.com/tickets or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS). The Segra Club is also open for events year-round. Visit segraclub.com for more information.

Phillies & Threshers Job Fair on Feb. 11th

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The Phillies and Threshers are hiring now for BayCare Ballpark seasonal positions. A job fair will be held in-person at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater on Friday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Multiple positions in Food & Beverage are available. Interviews will be conducted on-site. Positions available include: stand lead, cook, cashier, bartender, food prep, food runner, and warehouse.

On Friday, please park in the south lot of BayCare Ballpark and enter through the suites lobby, entrance and lot located at US19 & Drew St.

For more information for Food & Beverage positions, please contact Justin Stone at [email protected].

For information about the Threshers Fun Team, our in-game and community event promo team, please email [email protected].

The first home game of Phillies Spring Training is scheduled for February 27, Threshers Opening Night is April 8.

Phillies Spring Training schedule

Threshers summer schedule

Kannapolis Selects Top 5 Black MiLB Players in Organization’s History in Conjunction with “The Nine”

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To honor one of the world’s greatest trailblazers, Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, the Cannon Ballers have created a list of the Top 5 Black Minor League Baseball players that have ever worn a jersey in Kannapolis. Making its debut in 2022, MiLB announced that they created “The Nine,” an initiative that will engage and welcome Black fans, businesses, schools and civic leaders. In 1946, Robinson wore the number nine in his only year at the minor league level. The criteria to make the Top 5 list broke down to the player’s success at the major league level.

Jimmy Rollins

In 1997, the former second-round draft by the Phillies quickly became a household name in Kannapolis by leading the team in a plethora of offensive categories. That season, Rollins (18 years old) topped the team in games played (139), runs (94), hits (151), triples (8), stolen bases (46), and total bases (207).

Nicknamed “J-Roll,” the California native went on to play 17 MLB seasons, including his first 15 years with the Phillies. In 2001, 2002, and 2005, Rollins earned a spot on the National League All-Star team, with the 2001 season being his rookie year. Despite not getting an invite to MLB’s Fall Classic in 2007, Rollins took home the league’s Most Valuable Player award, proving to be the only Kannapolis baseball alumnus to do so.

The talented shortstop brought back more hardware throughout his luxurious career, collecting a Silver Slugger award in 2007 and four Gold Glove awards (‘07, ‘08, ‘09, ‘12). Although his time in Kannapolis in 1997 was not spent while under a contract by the White Sox, Rollins played his last season in the majors in 2016 with the Sox in the South Side of Chicago.

Tim Anderson

Anderson, the current Chicago White Sox everyday shortstop, sported a Kannapolis Intimidators jersey in 2013 for 68 games, getting his first crack at baseball at the professional level. At 20 years old, Anderson batted .277, along with 24 stolen bases, and 10 doubles.

Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, “T.A.” moved his way up to the White Sox by 2016, batting an impressive .283 in 99 games. That season, Anderson came in seventh in the Rookie of the Year voting. Just a few seasons later in 2019, Anderson slashed .335/.357/.508 from the right side of the plate, with his .335 batting average earning him MLB’s American League Batting Title, the only such award won by a former Kannapolis ball player. With the entire country now knowing his name, Anderson established himself as the leader of a White Sox rebuild, helping the team make a birth to the playoffs in 2020, their first since the 2008 season.

During the 2021 campaign, Anderson led the Sox to their most wins (93) in a season since their World Series championship in 2005, while also earning his first trip to the All-Star game. T.A. remains a beacon of light for young African Americans around the country, as he started “League of Leaguers” in 2019, a youth-focused charity to empower kids in Chicago’s South Side and Tuscaloosa after losing his best friend to gun violence.

Marcus Simien

The California Golden Bear product began his professional baseball career in Kannapolis after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 MLB draft. In 229 at-bats, Simien batted .253 with 15 doubles, and three homeruns. After making it to the majors in 2013 and playing two seasons in Chicago, Simien was traded to the Oakland A’s, allowing him to return to his home state from 2015-2020.

Simien’s name leaped towards the top of all second basemen in baseball right after the 2019 season, a year in which he batted .285 with 33 home runs, leading to a third-place finish in that year’s MVP voting. The Toronto Blue Jays were in need of a second baseman following the 2020 season, as they signed Simien to a one-year deal. In 2021, Simien made a start at second base in his first All-Star game, and also won a Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger award. In that same season, Simien smacked 44 home runs, breaking Davey Johnson’s MLB record for the most home runs in a season by a player who played 75 percent or more of his games at second base.

Concluding that historic season, the nine-year veteran signed a seven-year, $175 million contract with the Texas Rangers, now playing up the middle with Kannapolis native, Corey Seager, who signed a 10-year, $325 million contract.

Marlon Byrd

In 2000, Byrd appeared in 133 games with the Piedmont Phillies, putting his name on the map as a top power-hitter in the Phillies organization. A former 10th round pick in the 1999 MLB draft out of college, Byrd hit 17 home runs, 29 doubles, 13 triples, and swiped 41 bags.

After two more seasons in the minors, Byrd received his call up to the majors in 2002 at 24 years old, seeing himself play in 10 games. In his rookie year in 2003, Byrd came in fourth place in the Rookie of the Year voting, putting up an impressive .303 batting average, including 28 doubles and 11 stolen bases. Byrd spent two more seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to the Washington Nationals in 2005.

Byrd went on to play for 13 of the 30 MLB, including two years with the Cubs in Chicago. The 15-year MLB veteran earned his first and only All-Star appearance almost halfway through his career in 2010 with the Cubs, finishing the year with a .293 average. Byrd finished his career with 159 home runs, smacking 20 or more in a single season five times.

Chris Young

Young had his way at the plate once he walked onto the field in Kannapolis in 2004, hitting 24 home runs, 31 doubles, and collecting 31 stolen bases. Skipping over Class-A Advanced ball in Winston-Salem, Young was named the Chicago White Sox Minor League Player of the Year in 2005 after his stellar play with the Birmingham Barons. Following his second MiLB season, the White Sox traded Young to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Just one year later in 2006, Young made his debut for the D-Backs, and began the 2007 season as the D-Backs’ everyday center fielder. Young set multiple Diamondbacks’ rookie records, including hitting 32 home runs in his historic first season. A few years later in 2010, the Houston native made it to MLB’s Fall Classic, a year in which he batted .257 with 27 homers and 28 stolen bases.

Young jumped around the league after completing seven years in Arizona, with stops in OaklaKannapolis Selects Top 5 Black MiLB Players in Organization’s History in Conjunction with “The Nine”

nd, New York (Mets and Yankees), Boston, and Los Angeles (Angels). The 13-year veteran finished nine home runs shy of 200 and just 12 doubles shy of 300.

Full list of Black MiLB players that have made it to the MLB after/before playing in Kannapolis:

Jason Boyd, Piedmont Phillies, 1995

Reggie Taylor, Piedmont Boll Weevils, 1996

Jimmy Rollins, Piedmont Boll Weevils, 1997

Marlon Byrd, Piedmont Boll Weevils, 2000

Chris Young, Kannapolis Intimidators, 2004

Brandon Allen, Kannapolis Intimidators, 2006-07

Chris Carter, Kannapolis Intimidators, 2008-07

Marcus Simien, Kannapolis Intimidators, 2011

Tim Anderson, Kannapolis Intimidators, 2013

Micah Johnson, Kannapolis Intimidators, 2013

Jacob May, Kannapolis Intimidators, 2013

Keyvius Sampson, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, 2021

Top Five Black Players in Columbia History

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To celebrate Black History Month, the Columbia Fireflies are joining MLB in naming the top five black players to play baseball in the Midlands region. Columbia has a decorated baseball history that first saw professional baseball in the late 1800’s. The first Major League team to make an official relationship

To celebrate Black History Month, the Columbia Fireflies are joining MLB in naming the top five black players to play baseball in the Midlands region. Columbia has a decorated baseball history that first saw professional baseball in the late 1800’s. The first Major League team to make an official relationship with Columbia was the Cincinnati Reds, who announced their affiliation with the city in 1954.

Across the expansive list of players, this is the group that stands out over the rest.

5.) Our countdown starts with Ron Washington. While Washington didn’t play in Columbia, many people don’t know Washington for his eight-year Major League career in the middle infield, they know him for his time as a Manager and coach. His coaching career began with the Capital City Bombers, where he manned the helm in 1993 and 1994. Washington led the Bombers to 123 wins across those two seasons before getting an offer from the Oakland Athletics to help out their Major League staff during the start of the Moneyball era. Washington is credited as teaching Scott Hatteberg how to play first base after Billy Beane signed him. The Louisiana native began his Major League coaching career in 2007 with the Texas Rangers. In parts of eight seasons with the Rangers, Washington led the club to the World Series in 2010-11 and to a third playoff berth in 2012. He would finish his managerial career with a 664-611 record after resigning from his post with the Rangers in 2014. In 2016, he made his return to coaching in Major League Baseball, this time as a third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves. Washington was finally able to win his first World Series when the Braves took home the title in 2021.

4.) Next up, the first former player in Columbia to make the list is Mo Bruce. While Bruce never played in the Majors, he had a profound impact on the last championship season in Soda City. The middle infielder played for the Capital City Bombers in the 1998 campaign and led the League with a .341 average in 126 games. Hickory’s Jimmy Terrell was second in the league with a .337 clip. Bruce wasn’t selected until the 54th round of the 1994 draft, but he did more than provide an elite average for Capital City. He also clubbed 15 homers and drove in a team-high 74 RBI on Capital City’s chase for the South Atlantic League crown. Over the course of his career, Bruce spent six seasons in the minors, including two in AAA. He held a career average of .289 and had 38 total homers. His input was a big reason why Baseball America ranked that Bombers’ team first overall in the last 1998 power ranking they put out that season. Bruce also had an intangible that added to the team’s success: his veteran presence. A lot of guys in that line-up viewed Bruce as a third coach on the field. Bruce was a year or two older than most of the other players on that roster. That magical season at Capital City Stadium is where Bruce put together his top power and average numbers to help culminate in a ring, and that’s why he clocks in at number four in our list.

3.) Simeon Woods-Richardson is the only pitcher in the top-five, but Woods-Richardson has established himself, not only as one of the top pitchers in Columbia history, but one of the top young, exciting prospects in all of baseball, all before his 22nd birthday. Prior to the 2021 season, Baseball America ranked the righty as the 60th-best prospect in baseball. The magazine gives credit to his control of all four of his pitches and most believe he will make his Major League debut some time this season. He wasn’t ignored by the other top publication in baseball scouting. MLB.com Pipeline called Woods-Richardson the 87th-best prospect in baseball prior to the 2021 season. In Columbia, the Sugar Land, Texas native racked up strikeouts at an incredible rate. He started all 20 of his appearances for the Fireflies, punching out 97 batters in 78.1 frames. That’s 11.15 K/9 IP! His overall numbers have been hampered by a lot of the hype around him that has led to Woods-Richardson being involved in two blockbuster trades in the last three seasons. First, he was traded with LHP Anthony Kay for All-Star Marcus Stroman in 2019. Next the wheels brought him to Minnesota where he was traded with SS Austin Martin for All-Star Jose Berrios. While Woods-Richardson has had to adapt to playing in three different farm systems, his talent was recognized when he was selected to pitch in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and was awarded a silver medal for his participation with team USA. Simeon Woods-Richardson’s career is far from over, but what he’s accomplished already is enough for him to end up at number three on this list!

2.) Our next candidate never played baseball professionally in the Midlands, but it would be a crime to leave someone so impactful off our list. Larry Doby was born in Sumter, less than 50 miles from Segra Park. When Doby was young, his family moved to New Jersey, where he would eventually play for the Negro League Newark Eagles from 1942-1944. Like many others in that era, Doby stepped away from baseball to join the war effort at the peak of World War II. The star ballplayer joined the Navy and when he came back to the states in 1946, he played again for the Newark Eagles. He didn’t stick to baseball though, Doby broke the color barrier in the ABL, a precursor to today’s NBA and then he helped the Eagles win a championship in 1946 before the Cleveland Indians signed him in 1947. Later that season, Doby followed Jackie Robinson to become the second black player in Major League Baseball. He broke the color barrier in the American League, and then followed it with plenty of accolades. The next year, on his way to winning a World Series with the Indians, Doby became the first African American to hit a homer in a World Series game. Then, in 1952, on another run that saw Cleveland finish second in the American League, Doby became the first black player to lead a league in homers. He hit 32 homers in the campaign, beating teammate Luke Easter by a single homer for the league lead. Over the course of Doby’s career, he played in seven All-Star games and tallied five-100 RBI seasons and eight-20 home run seasons. Doby was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1998. His impact on the game of baseball will never be forgotten.

1.) Now it’s time for our top spot on the list. There are plenty of people who had incredible careers in Columbia and beyond, but when you combine the impact a player had in the Midlands with a Major League impact, you have to hand the top award to Frank Robinson who spent parts of two summers playing for the Columbia Reds in 1954-55. During his time in Columbia, The Judge paced the 1954 team with a .336 average and 25 homers in 132 games. In 1955 he added 12 more homers in 80 games before getting the call straight to the majors in 1956 where he won the National League Rookie of the Year award as a 20-year-old. After a decade with the Reds, Robinson was traded to the Orioles during the 1965 campaign. In his first season on the East Coast, Robinson won the AL Triple Crown, blasting 49 homers to pair with a .316 average and 122 RBI. That season, Robinson won the AL MVP award, four years after he won the NL MVP award with the Reds, thus becoming the first player to win the MVP for both leagues. The slugger also tallied a World Series MVP in 1966. He was the heart of the Orioles lineup that won three AL Pennants from 1969-71. All-in-all, Robinson was a 14-time All-Star and has the most walk-off hits (26) in Major League history. Robinson’s 586 homers are the 10th-most all-time. Robinson wasn’t done there though. After his playing days ended in Cleveland, Robinson became the manager for the Indians, making his way as the first black manager in Major League Baseball. He would manage for the Giants, Orioles, Expos and Nationals before retiring and took home the hardware for the 1989 American League Manager of the Year. Robinson truly was one of the all-time greats, and that’s why he leads our list of top black players to come through Columbia.