The Enduring Legacy of Negro League Baseball in Colorado

Negro League Baseball emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the exclusion of Black players from Major League Baseball (MLB). This initiative allowed talented athletes to showcase their skills and create a community around the sport. One notable figure from this era is Byron “Mex” Johnson, who played for the Kansas City Monarchs and other teams during the late 1930s.

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Byron Johnson, born on September 16, 1911, in Little Rock, Arkansas, became a prominent player in the Negro Leagues. His journey began when he was invited to try out for the Kansas City Monarchs in 1937. Despite initial hesitation, Johnson's talent shone through during a tryout where he executed a double play, earning him a spot on the team. He played for the Monarchs in 1937 and 1938 before joining the Satchel Paige All-Star teams in 1939 and 1940.

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Players like Johnson faced significant challenges due to segregation. Jacquelyn Benton, Johnson's daughter, recounted an incident during a trip to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where her father and his team were denied service at a restaurant despite having purchased gas. This experience highlighted the pervasive racism of the time, which was a driving force behind the formation of the Negro Leagues.

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Denver was home to several Negro League teams, including the White Elephants. Dexter Nelson II, a manager at the Denver Public Library Museum, noted the city's role in the history of Black baseball, including hosting one of the first integrated baseball games in 1934, known as The Little World Series. In recent years, MLB has begun to recognize the achievements of Negro League players by integrating their statistics into official records, which has reshaped historical rankings.

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Byron Johnson retired from baseball in 1940, feeling that the chances of integration into MLB were slim. He later moved to Denver, where his contributions to baseball were acknowledged. Notably, President Bill Clinton honored Johnson, recognizing the impact of Negro League players on American sports. Clinton's acknowledgment included a mention of Johnson in the foreword of his book, "Legacy of a Monarch: An American Journey," which Benton described as a deeply emotional moment for their family.

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The legacy of Negro League Baseball continues to resonate, with figures like Byron Johnson serving as reminders of the resilience and talent of Black athletes. Jacquelyn Benton expressed hope that the contributions of these players will inspire future generations in professional baseball, ensuring that their stories and achievements are not forgotten.

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