1985, the last time that Kansas City was home to a world series champion. Now it's 2014 and the city is excited about the prospect that Kansas City might be Royalty again. But while people are hoping that this year will bring the 2nd World Series Championship to Kansas City most are forgetting that long before 1985 Kansas City was already home to champions.
In the 1920's Baseball was America's past time. Hot summer days at the ball park, listening on the radio, and keeping track of scores and standings in the newspaper were all common place. What wasn't common place however was integration between whites and blacks. With racial tensions yet to reach their peak baseball was still a white only sport. That's when they decided to form the Negro Leagues.
In 1920 J.L. Wilkinson helped to found and run the Kansas City Monarchs. A former pitcher who was sidelined by an injury who already had experience building teams in Iowa brought successful baseball to Kansas City. He built the team out of the best members of the All Nations Team, and the 25th Infantry Wreckers, an all-black US Army team.
While being a part of the Negro National League and the Negro American League the Monarchs went on to win 10 League titles and participated in 4 Negro League World Series including two wins in 1924 and 1942.
The team was disbanded in 1965 after sending more players to the MLB than any other Negro League Team. The Negro League Baseball Museum is currently located on 18th and Vine in the Heart of Kansas City, Missouri and is a must see for any baseball fan, casual or hardcore.
So while our boys in blue are in the hunt for a World Series Victory one should remember that Kansas City is going for it's 4th World Series title starting next week. Remember that without the progress pioneered by the likes of Jackie Robinson, Satchel Page, J. L. Wilkinson, and Buck O'Neil, baseball might not be what it is today.
The word is "pastime." It is something you do to pass the time.
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