Julia Williams
Managing Editor

Kansas City, Mo — May 29, local media relations joined Kansas City Negro League Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick in an official press conference hosted within its location on East 18th St. 

 The museum came out swinging — announcing its plans with the MLB to incorporate Negro League statistics into its official record books. 

“We’re gaining additional momentum,” Kendrick said in a press conference Wednesday. “We’ve moved one more step closer to moving Negro Leagues history and getting it that mainstream voice.” 

However, this voice strikes closer than just city limits. The Negro Leagues saw many Afro-Latino and Latino players throughout its years. Among these includes Martin Dihigo, who was commonly referred to as “El Maestro,” Kendrick said. 

Dihigo — a Cuba native —  played all nine positions throughout his career, according to Kendrick. The Negro Leagues was home to several other Cuban-born players including Diego Segui and Minnie Minoso. 

“These men and women could play — they could play — no matter the color of their skin,” Kendrick said. 

He said the Museum has only scratched the surface in what he hopes to evolve through the lens of the Negro Leagues.