NIKE stays in my pocket because they don’t take a minute off their grizzly. Back in February they partnered with the Negro Baseball Hall of Fame to introduce some new kicks that pay homage to the untold truth that was the Negro Leagues. NIKE details some of the innovations that were introduced to the game of baseball because of the Negro Leagues. The good people at Beaverton call this the Untold Truth. The Untold Truth pays respect to the perseverance, passion and pride that these players embodied.
Did you know that nighttime baseball games were first played in the Negro Leagues? The fans that attended these games were all working people whose jobs typically ended at sundown. The baseball games were played in rented stadiums that weren’t available until after dark. How good do you think these guys were to be able to play baseball in the pitch black of night? We all know that the ‘BAT MAN‘ was blind, but the rest of the guys weren’t. I suppose that’s why batting helmets were created in the Negro Leagues as well.
The sneakers pictured below are NIKE’s famous Air Force 1 model designed to represent the New York Cubans team. The New York Cubans were formed from several Cuban all-star teams that played in the Negro Leagues. Players weren’t just from Cuba either. These teams typically featured Latin American players from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama and the Dominican Republic that were too dark to pass for white therefore they couldn’t play in the National or American leagues. The New York Cubans were led offensively by a young player who would become an all-star again in the American League after integration, MINNIE MONOSO. Some of you may recall that MINNIE was just voted down from baseball’s Hall of Fame by the baseball writers of America.
So If you are a sportswriter, comfortably set in your privilege, and you work for one of the supremacist media machines, and you wanted to act like you were down with the struggle and the what not, and that you knew more Black folks than just the ones that shined your shoes, you would buy a pair of these kicks for yourself and your son.
$89.50 isn’t equal to 40 acres and a mule, but its at least a step in the right direction.
I could see it if Nike was gonna donate money to inner city baseball leagues or something. It looks like they’re just usin them n*gga’s to sell shoes. At least when you buy a pair of Jordans that n*gga gets a cut.
where are these available at?
hot kicks ending to a sad portion of our history!
^co-sign julius.
My baddd for not “splainin” to y’all what the word ‘partners’ means. The Negro Baseball Hall of Fame thought that NIKE was the only way they could reach the youth to attract them to their part of American history.
NIKE did all the web design and promo for the project. In return they are allowed to use the trademarked names of these former Negro League teams for their apparel as well as a majority of the proceeds. What’s the Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame gets is much needed operational cash for more outreach programs.
Now if Julius and Red had said, “fuck baseball! niggas have A.D.D. and can only play basketball”, I would agree totally. Hell, niggas can’t even read.
^co-sign Bill
I officially hate you bruh. lol Nah but for real I just spent an hour of my life looking at these kicks and the shirts that are being sold along with them…and I’m open like Bush when the Taliban first called him.
To be able to “play a bit of homage” to these greats that repesented us…before the bs that we have to put up with todays brothers who get rick at the age of 20 and have forgotten the foundation that was laid before them.
I’m definitely coppin’ a pair…and your site keeps it funky, smart, and honest without having a brother dumb down his intellect…and that’s why I check in a few times a day. Thanks!
If the child can’t read, that’s the Momma’s fault…if the child can’t read ’cause the lights is off…that’s daddy’s fault-CHRIS ROCK
what’d u cop in philly?
“What’s the Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame gets is much needed operational cash for more outreach programs.”
Shoulda said that the first time. I might check back on the Nike site and see what else they got come april.
Awesome shoes and since the Negro Leagues Hall of Fame has lost money since day one it really does go to a good cause. Like the author of a previous comment, I spent at least an hour looking at the merch and Nike ads.
Really when someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to other users that they will help,
so here it takes place.