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Black History ➔ Photograph, B&w, Reprint, Autographed, Lester Lockett, Negro League All-star, Negro Baseball Leagues Archival Collection #113
Identifier:
2002.43.2Description:
B&W photo reprint of Lester Lockett holding a bat in front of a scoreobard, as a Negro League All-Star in 1943. Features original autograph. PHOTO CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE OWNER.;This photo can be used to discuss the discrimination against people of color in professional sports. Lester Lockett was an important figure in the history of Negro League Baseball. The photo may be used in the temporary exhibition "Leagues of Their Own".;In black ink marker, "Lester Lockett". |Date:
1943Materials:
PaperDimensions:
1" h 8" wCurrent Location Status:
In StorageSource:
Gift Of Claire HellsternRelated Entities:
Lester Lockett (creator) Hellstern, Claire (donor) Negro League Baseball (is related to)Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams of African Americans and, to a lesser extent, Latin Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in 1920 that are sometimes termed "Negro Major Leagues".
In the late 19th century the baseball color line developed in professional baseball, excluding African Americans from league play. In 1885, the Cuban Giants formed the first black professional baseball team. The first league, the National Colored Base Ball League, was organized strictly as a minor league but failed in 1887 after only two weeks owing to low attendance. After several decades of mostly independent play by a variety of teams, in 1920 the first Negro National League was formed and ultimately seven major leagues existed at various times over the next thirty years. After integration, the quality of the Negro leagues slowly deteriorated and the Negro American League of 1951 is generally considered the last major league season. The last professional club, the Indianapolis Clowns, operated as a humorous sideshow rather than competitively from the mid-1960s to the 1980s. (Source: Wikipedia)
