Orioles, Astros reveal Civil Rights Game jerseys
By Matt Fisher
The Baltimore Orioles have already played in one game where they got to wear a throwback jersey for a Negro League team, and now, with the Civil Rights game being played on Friday, they will have another opportunity.
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On May 18th, the Orioles donned the jersey of the Baltimore Black Sox, a Negro League team that started as an independent team in 1916. They played against the Kansas City Royals, who were wearing the Kansas City Monarchs uniform. On that day, it was an honoring of the Negro League teams of the past and the Royals/Monarchs won, 8-6.
The Orioles will be donning a different uniform for the Civil Rights game in Houston and would like to change their fortunes on this throwback day. For the Civil Rights Game, which celebrates baseball’s role in the Civil Rights movement along with its role in integrating the country, Baltimore will wear the uniforms of the Baltimore Elite Giants, as detailed here by the Baltimore Sun.
#Orioles to wear Negro League Baltimore Elite Giants' road greys against Houston May 30. http://t.co/iX0fh7Nt9R pic.twitter.com/1c2ILexIel
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) May 7, 2014
They will have their hands full, trying to end their three game losing streak as they take on the Houston Astros. The Astros are the hottest team in baseball right now, since the Blue Jays ended their nine-game winning streak. Houston now has the longest winning streak in the majors at six, and they have been coming easily for Bo Porter’s team. The Astros will be wearing the Houston Eagles uniforms, seen here. The Eagles only existed for two years in the Negro Leagues in 1949 and 1950.
Special ceremonies will preclude the game, including a special display of Frank Robinson’s Cooperstown Hall-of-Fame plaque along with a commemoration to the late Dr. Maya Angelou.