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John “Mule” Miles played for the Chicago American Giants in the Negro Baseball League in the 1940’s. Photo Credit: John “Mule” Miles
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A new exhibit at the Bexar County Courthouse offers visitors some insight into the history of African American baseball. Texas Public Radio’s Terry Gildea has more.
July 6, 2010 · It’s called “Discover Greatness: An Illustrated History of the Negro Baseball Leagues,” and includes more than 100 historical portraits and team pennants from an era that spans between the 1800’s to the 1960’s. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff helped bring the exhibit to the courthouse.
“You’re going to see the section beginning in pre-1900, the beginnings of black baseball and the beginnings of really Major League Baseball also,” said Wolff.
Some of the games greats played in the Negro Leagues, including Satchel Page, Josh Gibson and Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier in the Major Leagues when he began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. John Miles grew up in San Antonio and played for the Chicago American Giants in the 1940’s. He was on hand Tuesday to welcome the exhibit.
“But I did play, and I’m proud to be a member of the Negro Baseball League. I didn’t make a lot of money, but I had a lot of fun. I played against Jackie, Satchel, Josh Gibson, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron. We all played in the same league, and I enjoyed it,” said Miles.
The exhibit comes from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City and will be on display at the courthouse through August 27. It’s sponsored by the San Antonio Missions.
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