KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ History will be made Wednesday in Kansas City when Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred visits the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Manfred, along with MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark, is expected to announce a partnership with the museum including a significant donation, according to Negro Leagues Museum president Bob Kendrick.
"We've gotten some support throughout our existence, but we've never sat down at a table with the league to find out ways to support the museum," Kendrick said. "It's important to formulate partnership not just for financial reasons, but to have that support and to create a platform we can continue to rely on going forward."
Kendrick pointed out the ever-changing social conditions of the country and wants baseball fans to know the museum is a platform of learning and a place to draw strength.
"Timing is everything," Kendrick said. "Ever since the museum's existence, we've been about promoting the game of baseball. We continue to develop new fans and show the tremendous impact Negro Leagues had in making baseball better."
Manfred's announcement comes just after the museum inducted its 2017 "Hall of Game" class last Saturday.
Kendrick was mum on discussing a donation figure, but said support from the league is being significantly raised to a new level.
"We are ecstatic," Kendrick said. "What better place to have this conversation than the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum ... Whatever financial support we get will be appreciated and put to great use."
Manfred is expected to speak at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, located in the 18th and Vine Jazz District.
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