When fans file into Cleveland's Progressive Field on Aug. 12, Coors Light, Superior Beverage Group and the Cleveland Indians will keep African American baseball history alive by distributing 10,000 large, colorful posters to adult fans at the game.
Ervin Lee, director of African-American Marketing for MillerCoors, said, "Coors Light has been a proud sponsor of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum for more than a decade. We are proud to help preserve the rich history of African American baseball." He said the posters honor the rich history and influence African Americans have had on the Great American Pastime - with a vintage look at era artifacts that highlight the past.
"The Cleveland Buckeyes played a significant role in shaping the history of baseball in Cleveland. Superior Beverage is pleased to join Coors Light in keeping their memory alive for Cleveland's baseball fans," Chris Sharpe, area sales manager for Superior Beverage Group, said.
"The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum shares the memories and the untold stories of Negro Leagues Baseball with modern day fans," Don Motley, co-founder and executive director of the museum, said. He noted that the museum, founded in 1990 and based in Kansas City, Mo., is dedicated to preserving the rich history of African-American baseball, which dates from the late 1800s through the 1960s including Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson - who hit almost 800 home runs in his 17-year career.
According to Motley, the Negro Leagues barnstormed across America during their hey-day in the 1930s and 40s. Few of the Leagues' players are still alive, Motley said, but those who remain are full of fond memories and are still working to instill the love of their sport to young people.
Thomas "High Pocket" Turner, 93, retired and living in Georgetown, Ohio, near Cincinnati, was a first baseman and pitcher with the Chicago American Giants in 1947. His team played against the Cleveland Buckeyes, which won the Negro Leagues' championship in 1946. Turner, known in his community for his volunteer work with children, said the lesson for young people today is that "they can be as good as anyone else that has played the game."
Before the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft in June, each club selected a former surviving Negro Leagues player as part of the Special Negro Leagues Draft when 30 Negro Leagues players were honored to represent all Negro Leagues players, past and present. The Cleveland Indians selected Otha "Li'l Catch" Bailey, 77, a catcher in the Negro Leagues for 11 years. He played for the Cleveland Buckeyes, and retired from baseball in 1959. The Baltimore Orioles chose Bert Simmons, 84, former pitcher and outfielder with the Baltimore Elite Giants.
The Coors Light Negro Leagues posters also will be available at select retail accounts in Ohio.
About MillerCoors
Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MillerCoors brews full-calorie beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and the Sparks line of caffeinated alcohol beverages. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the Leinenkugel's 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors' vision is to become the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.