Tim Bennett of the Hank Aaron Sports Academy located in Jackson, Mississippi along with Kay Horne, the daughter of Rossell Horne, Owner of the Negro League Biloxi Dodgers are overjoyed to announce that an agreement has been reached to use the name Biloxi Dodgers in reference to the former team along with a newly created logo that was co-designed by locals Wes Martin, Kay Horne, and Mr. Bennett. The permission was granted to Mr. Bennett by Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers in advance of the upcoming celebration on April 15th of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American in to cross the color lines in the modern era at MGM Park.
“This is not only a historical announcement, but a marvelous display of what can happen when people of all races, genders, and nationalities work together for a common goal and benefit says, Bennett. This was an all-hands-on-deck approach to get these permissions and all thanks should go to Major League Baseball e supportive of not only remembering but also recognizing the Negro League Biloxi Dodgers by lending the use of their logo for this occasion. Mississippi has to be proud to now have the Atlanta Braves (Hank Aaron Sports Academy – Jackson, MS.), the Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York City’s Major League Baseball office working hand in hand with the State to recognize the two most prolific African-American names, athletes and mentors in the game, being recognized along-side the Biloxi Dodgers. Hank would have been so proud as Jackie was also his favorite player. Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Dodgers are to be commended…When is the last time you saw New York City, Los Angeles, and Atlanta come to Mississippi for such a great purpose? Baseball, you gotta love this game!” Said Tim Bennett – CEO of Hank Aaron Sports www.hankaaronsports.com
The logo is a symbol that will be recognized by many because of the use of the iconic landmarks often times associated with Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast and will be revealed on Friday, April 14th at Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi at 3:30 p.m.
All expenses associated with this promotion of recognition of Jackie Robinson and the Biloxi Dodgers are being paid by the Colombean Coffee Company www.colombeancoffeeco.com A Mississippi minority-owned company.
“If my father, Rosell Horne (owner of the Negro League Biloxi Dodgers) we’re alive today he would be overwhelmed with excitement that the Los Angeles Dodgers, his favorite team, along with MLB has come together and given a thumbs up to allowing their trademark logo to be used on a commemorative T-shirt in recognition of the contribution the Biloxi Dodgers had here in the East Biloxi community for many years! The Biloxi Dodgers broke the color barrier by allowing white airmen from Keesler Air Force Base to play on an all-black (Negro League) baseball team because they loved the game and enjoyed playing the sport. What a great joy it was as a young girl back then, leaving behind the color differences outside those gates on Lee Street and just being a fan or player of the game. I know he’s doing his li’l gig celebrating this historical honor for the Biloxi Dodgers and for all of us who go out to the park and enjoy a good ole family game of baseball!” – Kay Horne, Director at Program Believe www.program-believe.com
NOTES:
“Biloxi & Jackie”
Jackie Robinson played in Biloxi in association with the Biloxi Dodgers on Wednesday, October 21, 1953, some 70 years ago this year. The Day Jackie Came to Town
“Southern Boys”
- Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia (Hall of Fame – 1962)
- Henry “Hank” Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama (Hall of Fame – 1982)
- Satchel Paige – Mobile, Alabama (Hall of Fame – 1971)
- Willie McCovey – Mobile, Alabama (Hall of Fame – 1986)
- Willie Mays – Fairfield, Alabama (Hall of Fame – 1979)
- Ozzie Smith – Mobile, Alabama (Hall of Fame – 2002)
- Monte Irvin – Haleburg, Alabama (Hall of Fame – 1973)
- Bo Jackson – Bessemer, Alabama
- Lee May – Birmingham, Alabama
“Biloxi Can Do It!”
Jackie Robinson and his team of “Barnstormers” scheduled a stop in Biloxi to take on a team of Negro League All-Stars. The All-Star Game was set for November 2, 1953, at 8 pm at the Lee Street Diamond and was sponsored by Joe Spanner and Sherman Johnson, who were managers of the Biloxi Tigers baseball nine. General admission was charged for the game, and by the account the following day in the Sun Herald, over 9,000 fans were in attendance for a Monday night game. It was estimated that the crowd was one of the largest to witness any sporting activity at the Biloxi athletic field.
“Rachel Robinson Recognition”
On June 23, 2015, in the Biloxi Shuckers’ inaugural season, Rachel Robinson (wife of Jackie Robinson) wrote Tim Bennett a personal letter of congratulations on becoming the first African-American MLB/MiLB team owner of the Biloxi Shuckers (Milwaukee Brewers AA) in the history of the state of Mississippi.
“Mighty Mississippi”
Mississippi is the home to both of the teams that Hank Aaron played for (Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers) with the Mississippi Braves (AA) and the Biloxi Shuckers (AA) franchises with Bennett leading the charge to bring both teams being relocated in 2005 (Trustmark Park) and 2015 (MGM Park).