CINCINNATI, OH — The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today the extended run of the popular exhibition highlighting baseball’s game changers, Diversity in Baseball, now open through September 26. The immersive exhibit celebrates players who have broken barriers and changed the game, making it more inclusive and reflective of America’s diverse make-up.
The extension of the exhibition comes in the wake of Major League Baseball’s powerful summit presented in partnership with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, entitled A Social Justice Dialogue of Faith, Community and Baseball. The summit was recorded and is available for viewing on mlb.com. During Cincinnati’s All Star Summer, the Freedom Center welcomed baseball fans from around the region as well as legends of the game, including Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, Ed Lucas, Major League Baseball’s ambassador of inclusion, Billy Bean and daughter of the late Jackie Robinson, Sharon Robinson. Both Robinson and Bean signed panels within the exhibit.
In addition to the summit, Ed Lucas spoke to a captive audience on the mound inside the exhibit about his decades-long career in baseball as a blind broadcaster. His new novel, Seeing Home: The Ed Lucas Story, details some of the stories he shared on the mound of overcoming obstacles and interviewing some of the greatest players off all time, many of whom were barrier breakers themselves.
“Diversity in Baseball’s extension will provide the public with more opportunities to reflect on important issues regarding race and inclusion in professional sports,” says Clarence G. Newsome, PhD, president of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “The exhibit is a great experience for families during Labor Day Weekend, as this exhibit about baseball is an approachable way to learn about and discuss difficult issues that we still face in our communities.”
Diversity in Baseball also features a baseball diamond, complete with a pitcher’s mound and dugout. Visitors will learn the compelling stories of the baseball’s greatest players and barrier breakers, including Jackie Robinson, Toni Stone, Jean Fort, Hank Greenberg, Roberto Clemente and many others. In addition to the interactive baseball diamond, each text panel includes original illustrations by local artist and Brand Champion at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Jesse Kramer. Cincinnati Reds fans will also find their team well represented in this exhibition due to the Reds’ long history of inclusivity, being home to many Cuban players including Rafael Almeida (1911-1913), Armando Marsans (1911-1914), Dolf Luque (1918-1929), Tony Pérez (1964-1976-1984-1986) and Aroldis Chapman (2010-Present).
Diversity in Baseball, now open through September 26, was curated by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Cincinnati Museum Center, with the support of Macy’s, P&G, Tom Schiff, Lightborne, Nielsen, John Pepper and PNC. Included with general admission. Visit freedomcenter.org/DiversityInBaseball to learn more and plan your visit.