Negro League Night 2008 (9 Photos Inside)

The 2008 Harrisburg Senators Negro League Commemorative Night held on June 30th, was one of the highlights of the season for me. I absolutely enjoy talking baseball with all of the living legends who participated in the Negro Leagues. Hearing the hardships they were subjected to and the conditions they played under, help me to appreciate the history of the game of baseball and how far it has come.

Negro League Night 2009 will be held on May 2nd. The game vs. Reading Phillies is scheduled to start at 7 PM. More details on this event will be posted soon.

Harrisburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed. Mayor of Harrisburg since 1982 and one of the people responsible for bringing baseball back to Harrisburg in 1987. Mayor Reed typically attends the annual Senators Commemorative Negro League Night.


Tom Hailey - Captain of the 1953 Eastern Negro League Champion Harrisburg Giants, as well as Eastern Negro League MVP.


Negro League historian, Ted Knorr (center), reads a statement on Clarence “Fats” Jenkins. He is flanked by Senators GM Randy Whitaker (left) and Mayor Reed (right).


Al Chambers – Was in attendance filling in for his uncle Leo "Syke" Burnett. Chambers was a First round pick (#1 overall) by the Seattle Mariners in the 1979 amateur draft. A Harrisburg native known for his power and speed on the baseball field, was drafted straight out of Harrisburg High School but his career was cut short do to injury. Chambers, also known as “Coach”, served as a high school baseball coach for several years (including my coach at Harrisburg High from 1992-1994).


Jim Weedon played outfield for the Harrisburg Giants in 1954 & 55


Bruno DiMartile played short stop for the Harrisburg Giants from 1954 to1956.


Danny Werner threw out the first pitch.


Willie Fordham, a fan, Mayor Reed and Randy Whitaker pose for a group shot.


This photo contains everyone who participated in the 2008 Harrisburg Senators Negro league Commemorative Night.