Several players across Major League Baseball took a moment Sunday to tip their cap in recognition of the Negro Leagues celebrating its 100th anniversary. Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Billie Jean King, SportsNet LA analyst Jerry Hairston Jr. and Justin Turner were among those to participate.
Turner shared a photo of an Independence Day-themed Dodgers cap on Instagram, with the lid including a Don Newcombe patch and the post featuring a heartfelt message for the Dodgers legend. Newcombe was a regular presence at Dodger Stadium before passing away in February of last year.
His death was met by an outpouring of support both within and outside the Dodgers organization. Kenley Jansen, Turner and Vin Scully were among those to share kind messages and fond memories of Newcombe in the wake of his passing.
The Dodgers honored the famed right-hander by wearing a “NEWK 36” patch on the sleeve of their jerseys for the entire 2019 season. The team had previously The recognized Jim Gilliam (1978), Tim Crews (1993), Don Drysdale (1993), Roy Campanella (1993), Pee Wee Reese (1999) and Duke Snider (2011) with commemorative patches as well.
King showed her support for Negro Leagues and equality in by tipping her cap in a video, and Hairston shared his on Twitter.
Would like to tip my cap to the men who made it possible for me and so many people of color for the opportunity to play. Happy 100th year Anniversary Negro Leagues. https://t.co/kcSmmCIO6f #TipYourCap2020 #MLB pic.twitter.com/dE2rgOrnM9
— Jerry Hairston, Jr. (@TheRealJHair) June 28, 2020
Newcombe, along with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella, helped pave the way for African-Americans to play in the Major Leagues. Signed by Branch Rickey, he spent of eight of 10 career seasons with the Dodgers organization.
“Don Newcombe played a major role on and off the field for the Dodgers and we want to honor his legacy to our organization and all of baseball by recognizing him throughout the 2019 season,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said when the team announced plans to wear the jersey patch.
Prior to joining the Dodgers, Newcombe spent two seasons in the Negro Leagues at ages 18 and 19 years old.
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