Shades of Greatness is the first collaborative art exhibition inspired by the history of Negro Leagues Baseball. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) developed this exhibition to reveal a new understanding of this fascinating subject.

The Negro Leagues was developed in the first quarter of the 20th century. By the end of World War I black baseball had become, perhaps, the number one entertainment attraction for urban black populations throughout the country. It was at that time that Andrew "Rube" Foster, owner of the Chicago American Giants and black baseball's most influential personality, determined that the time had arrived for a truly organized and stable Negro league. Under Foster's leadership in 1920 the Negro National League was born in Kansas City, fielding eight teams: Chicago American Giants, Chicago Giants, Cuban Stars, Dayton Marcos, Detroit Stars, Indianapolis ABCs, Kansas City Monarchs and St. Louis Giants.

The Negro Leagues produced such distinguished ball players as Willie Mays, who was the shining light of the Birmingham Black Barons from 1948 to1950, before moving on to play for the New York Giants (1951-1957), San Francisco Giants (1958-1972), and the New York Mets (1972-1973). John “Buck” O’Neil, a Carabelle, Florida native, was the first baseman and manager for the Kansas City Monarchs from 1937 to 1955. Today, Buck O'Neil chairs the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Board of the Directors. Satchel Paige, who was known as the greatest pitcher in the history of the Negro Leagues, compiled such feats as 64 consecutive scoreless innings, a stretch of 21 straight wins, and a 31-4 record in 1933 before joining the Cleveland Indians in the Major Leagues. For 22 years, Paige mauled the competition in front of sellout crowds, and Joe DiMaggio once called him “the best and fastest pitcher I've ever faced”.

Despite the difficult economic challenges posed to the entire nation by the Depression, the three major Negro League circuits weathered the storm and steadily built what was to become one of the largest and most successful black-owned enterprises in America. The existence and success of these leagues stood as a testament to the determination and resolve of black America to forge ahead in the face of racial segregation and social disadvantage.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum drafted a select group of local and national artists and gave them a detailed orientation to Negro Leagues history. Shades of Greatness is the final result of their research and creativity, and this traveling exhibit was created in 2004. Close to 35 pieces of original art is now part of the museum collection and the Governor’s Office is proud to have the opportunity to display it in the Florida Capitol during Black History Month 2006.

For more information on this exhibit, please contact Allison McCarthy at 850.245.6475, or by email at amccarthy@os.state.fl.us.