The Legacy Awards are presented annually by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The "Hall of Game Award"—established in 2014 and honoring players who personify "the spirit of the way the game was played in the Negro Leagues"[1]—is the only such award actively presented since 2018.

Legacy Awards
SportBaseball
LeagueMajor League Baseball (MLB)
Awarded forBest players, managers, and executives in MLB in various categories, for on-field and off-field achievement
Presented byNegro Leagues Baseball Museum
History
First award2000
Entrance to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri

A number of Legacy Awards were previously issued to the best players, managers, and executives in each league of Major League Baseball (MLB), for on-field and off-the-field achievement. The awards were named for legendary players of Negro league baseball, and first presented following the 2000 MLB season.[2] Awards were later added for baseball writers and philanthropists.

History edit

The first Legacy Awards were presented in November 2000 at the "Legacy 2000 Players’ Reunion and Awards Banquet", which was organized to honor the 10th anniversary of the opening of the museum and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Negro National League.[3][4] For the next nine years (2001–2009), each year's awards were presented at a banquet in January or February of the following year.[5][3][6] Proceeds from the Legacy Awards annual banquets were used for the benefit of the museum.

In 2010, there was no banquet.[7] Instead, the awards were presented at separate events at the museum and in various major-league ballparks through the spring of 2011.[3] The 12th annual awards (for 2011) were presented at an awards banquet on January 28, 2012.[8]

In January 2013, NLBM president Bob Kendrick announced that the 2013 awards banquet would be the final one held. All further awards would be presented in the same manner as the 2010 awards, at various MLB ballparks or at the museum if the award winner happened to be in Kansas City to play against the Royals.[9] The logistics of off-season travel were the primary reason cited by Kendrick for this change.[9] Of all those honored for their 2012 season, only Everth Cabrera of the San Diego Padres, traveling from his off-season home in Nicaragua, was able to make it to Kansas City for the January banquet and presentation.[9]

The "Hall of Game Award", established in 2014, is the only award actively presented since 2018.

 
NLBM president Bob Kendrick wearing a Kansas City Monarchs jersey

Awards have been issued in the following categories:

  • Hall of Game Award – former Major League Baseball stars
  • Oscar Charleston Legacy Award – "Most Valuable Players" in the National (NL) and American (AL) leagues
  • Pitcher of the Year – "Pitchers of the Year" in the NL and AL:
    • Leroy "Satchel" Paige Legacy Award (2000–2005)
    • Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award (2006–present)
  • Larry Doby Legacy Award – "Rookies of the Year" in the NL and AL
  • Hilton Smith Legacy Award – "Relievers of the Year" in the NL and AL
  • Walter "Buck" Leonard Legacy Award – batting champions in the NL and AL
  • Josh Gibson Legacy Award – "Home Run" leaders in the NL and AL
  • James "Cool Papa" Bell Legacy Award – "Stolen Base" leaders in the NL and AL
  • Charles Isham "C. I." Taylor Legacy Award – "Managers of the Year" in the NL and AL
  • Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award – "Executives of the Year" in the NL and AL
  • Kansas City Mondards Award - Royals player and pitcher of the year
  • John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Legacy Award – in recognition of "Baseball and Community Leadership"
  • Sam Lacy Legacy Award – "Baseball Writer of the Year"
  • Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award – for "Career Excellence in the Face of Adversity"
  • John "Buck" O'Neil Legacy Award – to a local or national corporate/private philanthropist for "Outstanding Support of the NLBM"

Winners of each award are listed below.

Active awards edit

Hall of Game Award edit

The Hall of Game Award was introduced by the NLBM on February 13, 2014.[10] The Hall of Game annually honors former Major League Baseball (MLB) stars who played the game with the same passion, determination, flair and skill exhibited by the heroes of the Negro leagues. In addition to the ceremony, Hall of Game inductees will also receive permanent recognition as part of the future Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center being developed by the NLBM at the site of the Paseo YMCA, the birthplace of the Negro leagues.[11]

Inactive awards edit

Oscar Charleston Legacy Award edit

 
Oscar Charleston

The Oscar Charleston Legacy Award is given annually to the "Most Valuable Players" in the National and American leagues.[5]

Pitcher of the Year edit

 
Satchel Paige
 
Bullet Rogan

Leroy "Satchel" Paige Legacy Award edit

The Satchel Paige Legacy Award was given annually to the best pitchers in the National and American leagues.

Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award edit

The Wilbur "Bullet" Rogan Legacy Award is given annually to the "Pitchers of the Year" in the National and American leagues.[5]

Larry Doby Legacy Award edit

 
Lary Doby
Note: This should not be confused with the Larry Doby Award, which is presented to the MLB "Futures Game" MVP.

The Larry Doby Legacy Award is given annually to the "Rookies of the Year" in the National and American leagues.[2]

Hilton Smith Legacy Award edit

The Hilton Smith Legacy Award is given annually to the "Relievers of the Year" in the National and American leagues.[5]

Walter "Buck" Leonard Legacy Award edit

The Walter "Buck" Leonard Legacy Award is given annually to the batting champions in the National and American leagues.[5]

Josh Gibson Legacy Award edit

 
Josh Gibson

The Josh Gibson Legacy Award is given annually to the "Home Run" leaders in the National and American leagues.[5]

James "Cool Papa" Bell Legacy Award edit

The James "Cool Papa" Bell Legacy Award is given annually to the "Stolen Base" leaders in the National and American leagues.[5]

Charles Isham "C. I." Taylor Legacy Award edit

 
C. I. Taylor

The Charles Isham "C. I." Taylor Legacy Award is given annually to the "Managers of the Year" in the National and American leagues.[5]

Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award edit

 
Rube Foster

The Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award is given annually to the "Executives of the Year" in the National and American leagues.[5]

Kansas City Monarchs Legacy Award edit

The Kansas City Monarchs Legacy Award is given annually to the Royals player and/or pitcher of the year.

 
John Henry Lloyd

John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Legacy Award edit

The John Henry "Pop" Lloyd Legacy Award is given annually in recognition of "Baseball and Community Leadership".[5]

Sam Lacy Legacy Award edit

 
Sam Lacy

The Sam Lacy Legacy Award is given annually to the "Baseball Writer of the Year".[5][34]

Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award edit

 
Jackie Robinson

The Jackie Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually for "Career Excellence in the Face of Adversity".[5][36]

John "Buck" O'Neil Legacy Award edit

 
Buck O'Neil

The Buck O'Neil Legacy Award is given annually to a local or national corporate/private philanthropist for "Outstanding Support of the NLBM".[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ McDowell, Sam (May 2, 2018). "Five All-Stars to take part in Negro Leagues Hall of Game". The Kansas City Star. p. B1. Retrieved September 12, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d Mandel, Ken (November 10, 2008). "Howard wins Josh Gibson Award: NL-best 48 homers earn Phillies slugger Legacy honor". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Legacy Awards Announced (2010)". Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. 2010–2011. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
  4. ^ "CBAKC Board Members: Don B. Motley, Chairman". Community Baseball Academy of Kansas City (CBA-KC). Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "Legacy Award Winners Announced (2009)". Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. 2009–2010. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  6. ^ a b c Eskew, Alan (February 2002). "HISTORY / NEGRO LEAGUES / FEATURES / Award winners: Pierre, Rollins two of many to win Legacy Awards". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  7. ^ Calcaterra, Craig (January 24, 2011). "The President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum defends the decision to move the Legacy Awards Show". HardballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved 2011-10-20.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Legacy Awards Announced: Dodgers Matt Kemp and Yankees Curtis Granderson nab top honors from the NLBM; Kansas City Royals Eric Hosmer named AL Rookie of the Year". Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Falkoff, Robert (13 January 2013). "Negro Leagues Baseball Museum honors MLBs best". MLB.com via KC Royals official team website. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  10. ^ McDowell, Sam (February 14, 2014). "Museum unveils new event". The Kansas City Star. p. B5. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Negro Leagues Baseball Museum establishes 'Hall of Game' tribute to former MLB stars. SABR.org. Retrieved on April 26, 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Fergie, Rickey, Luis and the Wizard Highlight 2015 Hall of Game Class".. NLBM.com. Retrieved on April 26, 2015.
  13. ^ "2016 NLBM Hall of Game Inductees Announced | News | Premier Sports Management". www.premiersportsonline.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  14. ^ "Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announces fourth annual 'Hall of Game' class". kansascity. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  15. ^ @jgkshb (May 1, 2018). "The fifth class of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Hall of Game has been announced" (Tweet). Retrieved May 1, 2018 – via Twitter.
  16. ^ "Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's "Hall of Game"". Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2019-07-13.
  17. ^ a b c d Scichili, Rob; Feinsand, Mark (2001). "HISTORY / NEGRO LEAGUES / LEGACY / NLBM honors top Major Leaguers: Giants left fielder Barry Bonds and Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez were named the recipients of the Josh Gibson Legacy Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Penn, Steve (January 14, 2003). "Players must honor the past". The Kansas City Star. Negro League Baseball Players Association official website. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  19. ^ a b c Falkoff, Robert (February 5, 2003). "Legacy Awards connect two eras: Bonds and A-Rod win Oscar Charleston awards". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Negro League Museum Announces 2007 Legacy Award Winners". BlackAthlete Sports Network, LLC. October 13, 2007. Retrieved 2011-10-20.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Negro Leagues Baseball Museum". www.nlbm.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Legacy Awards Announced". Negro Leagues Babeball Museum. Archived from the original on 3 January 2006. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Howard, Jeter To Receive Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's Legacy Awards". BlackAthlete Sports Network. January 11, 2007. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  24. ^ Salisbury, Jim (January 12, 2007). "MVP Howard takes well-deserved bows". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  25. ^ a b c "Chipper Jones Receives Legacy Award". The Chattanoogan. November 11, 2008. Retrieved 2011-10-06.
  26. ^ a b c d e Beck, Jason (November 28, 2011). "Trio wins Negro Leagues Legacy Awards". Detroit Tigers official website. MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  27. ^ a b c d "Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announces its Legacy Awards". kansascity. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant lead list of 2016 Legacy Award winners". The Kansas City Star. December 29, 2016. p. B2. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Chastain, Bill (October 22, 2009). "Carpenter, Greinke win Rogan Award: Negro League Museum honors top pitchers in NL and AL". St. Louis Cardinals official website. MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
  30. ^ "Annual African American Heritage Weekend Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21 to be Hosted by Pitsburg Pirates". Ask Blackie: African American Entertainment, Music, News and Anything Afro-American. Ask Blackie. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  31. ^ a b Kaegel, Dick (January 30, 2010). "Negro Leagues Museum captivates visitors: Visit to hall serves as warm-up for Legacy Awards". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  32. ^ Kaegel, Dick. "Legacy winners given tour by O'Neil: Ryan, Jocketty, others enjoy Negro Leagues museum". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  33. ^ "PRESS RELEASE: Angels' GM Tony Reagins given contract extension". Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim official website. November 6, 2009. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  34. ^ a b Hill, Justice B. (February 29, 2008). "O'Neil's presence alive in baseball: Negro Leagues ambassador's mission continues to thrive". MLB.com. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  35. ^ Turner, Aprill (April 20, 2011). "NABJ Honors Pioneering Sports Journalist, ESPN's Claire Smith with Annual Legacy Award". National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  36. ^ a b Paylor, Terez A. (April 15, 2011). "Frank White receives the Jackie Robinson Legacy Award". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  37. ^ On the following webpage, scroll down to "The 2011 Johnson Medalists include": Clark, Beverly (October 27, 2011). "Johnson Medals to honor champions of civil and human rights Nov. 8". Emory University. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  38. ^ Pollock, Bill (April 14, 2011). "White earns Robinson Legacy Award". MissouriNet. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  39. ^ "Pitching greats Vida Blue, Al Downing, Dwight Gooden, Mike Norris and Dontrelle Willis to be inducted into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's Hall of Game; ceremonies planned for September 9 in Kansas City, MO". KSPRabc33 (Springfield, Mo.). Schurz Communications. August 16, 2023. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  40. ^ "Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announces fourth annual 'Hall of Game' class". kansascity. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  41. ^ @nlbmprez (February 9, 2019). "Great to see Sharon Robinson at the @KC_UYA today! An accomplished author/educator, Sharon will receive our award t…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  42. ^ "BUCK O'NEIL LEGACY AWARDS PRESENTATION". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  43. ^ Palmer, Tod (November 8, 2015). "Aaron proud of his Negro Leagues start". The Kansas City Star. p. B2. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via newspapers.com.