Former Negro League players honored by Lookouts, Bessie Smith Hall

A group of former Negro League players signing autographs at the East Ridge Food City.

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Chattanooga Lookouts and Bessie Smith Hall have teamed up to honor former Negro League players.

All weekend, four players and a historian will be partaking in various activities as the team honors them.

The Negro League refers to several professional baseball leagues existing in the first half of the 20th century comprised of African-American players.

These leagues existed because Major League Baseball (MLB) was segregated.

However, MLB has since recognized stats and players from those leagues into their record books.

Friday, former players were signing autographs at the East Ridge Food City, who were recalling stories and hope younger generations take lessons from the hardships that came with playing through segregation.

Russell “Crazy Legs” Patterson, who played for Indianapolis Clowns said, “What black history and baseball meant for us, that we suffered from all kinds of racism, and the Major League is trying to pay us back, which in their minds is patting us on the back and keep on going. As long as I am with these guys, and I know a couple of others left, that’s what I get all of my understanding and love about.”

You can meet these players before Friday’s and Saturday’s Lookouts games, where there will be ceremonies as well.