On Thursday, Missouri Senator Jim Talent of St. Louis and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver of Kansas City have unveiled legislation designating the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City as the official national museum of Negro Leagues Baseball. The designation would give the museum an advantage as it competes for funds with other baseball projects.
The Negro League was formed in 1920 at the YMCA in Kansas City. It served as the only outlet for African-American baseball players until the color line was broken in Major League Baseball and often boasted All-Star teams that regularly beat their white counterparts.
Kansas City was home to the Monarchs, one of the more successful teams in the league. It featured players like Jackie Robinson and Satchell Paige. The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum opened in 1990.