Tombstone
Formed: February 13, 1920 in Kansas City, MO
Disbanded: March 31, 19321The Call, April 1, 1932 via The Kansas City Monarchs: Champions of Black Baseball by Janet Bruce
First Game: May 2, 1920 (Chicago Giants 2 @ Indianapolis ABC’s 4)2 ‘We Are the Ship, All Else the Sea’: The Founding of the Negro National League, by John Bauer, Society for American Baseball Research website
Final Games: August, 1931
Seasons: 10
States: AL, IL, IN, KY, MO, MI, OH, PA, TN, WI
Leadership
Founder: Rube Foster
Trophy Case
Background
After several failed attempts over the previous two years, the first successful, organized Negro major league was established on February 13, 1920, at a meeting held at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City. Andrew “Rube” Foster, owner and manager of the Chicago American Giants, led the effort to form the Negro National League (NNL).
The Kansas City Monarchs and the Foster’s Chicago American Giants dominated the league. In 1924, the Negro World Series was organized. It pitted the NNL champion against the winner of the newly formed Eastern Colored League. Financial pressures brough on by the Great Depression, as well as Foster’s declining health, hastened the end of the NNL in the spring of 1932. In 1933, a new Negro National League was formed.
Our Favorite Gear
Negro National League (1920-1931) Jerseys
When it comes to high-quality replica jerseys, turn to Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable baseball jerseys, including those for the Negro National League (1920-1931) teams, as well as other Negro Leagues teams. T-Shirts and caps too!
Free Customization Included
Each jersey individually handmade
Any name and number
Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters
100% polyester
Heavyweight fabric made to game standards
Honor the memory of the great Nego Leagues ball players in great apparel from Royal Retros
Negro National League Franchise List
| FRANCHISE | YEARS ACTIVE | PENNANTS | NEGRO LEAGUE WORLD SERIES | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Black Barons | 1924-1925, 1927-1930 | Associate team in 1931 | ||
| Chicago American Giants | 1920-1931 | 1920, 1921,1922, 1926,1927 | 1926, 1927 | Chicago Columbia Giants in 1931, an Associate team. |
| Chicago Giants | 1920-1921 | |||
| Cleveland Browns | 1924 | |||
| Cleveland Cubs | 1931 | |||
| Cleveland Elites | 1926 | |||
| Cleveland Hornets | 1927 | |||
| Cleveland Tate Stars | 1922-1923 | |||
| Cleveland Tigers | 1928 | |||
| Columbus Blue Birds | 1931 | Associate team in 1931 | ||
| Columbus Buckeyes | 1921 | |||
| Cuban House of David | 1931 | Associate team in 1931 | ||
| Cuban Stars | 1920-1930 | Cincinnati Stars (1921) | ||
| Dayton Marcos | 1920, 1926 | |||
| Detroit Stars | 1920-1931 | |||
| Indianapolis ABC's | 1920-1924, 1925-1926 | |||
| Kansas City Monarchs | 1920-1931 | 1923, 1924, 1925, 1929 | 1924 | Associate team in 1931 |
| Louisville White Sox | 1931 | |||
| Memphis Red Sox | 1924-1925, 1927-1930 | |||
| Milwaukee Bears | 1923 | |||
| Nashville Elite Giants | 1930 | |||
| Pittsburgh Keystones | 1922 | |||
| St. Louis Giants | 1920-1921 | Associate team in 1931 | ||
| St. Louis Stars | 1922-1931 | 1928, 1930, 1931 | ||
| Toledo Tigers | 1923 |
##