
NEGRO LEAGUES CENTENNIAL TEAM BOBBLEHEAD SERIES: James Leslie "J.L" Wilkinson

Item Number: | 2076454 |
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Item Description
The Negro League Centennial Team (1920-2020) is comprised of 30 of the greatest African-American and Cuban players from 1895-1947 plus a manager and a team owner. Each individual is depicted on a baseball-shaped base with replica of Kansas City's Paseo YMCA, the site where the Negro National League was organized on February 13th, 1920. The bobbleheads are officially licensed by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and approved by the families when applicable. Each player is individually numbered to only 2,020. This bobblehead is of James Leslie "J.L" Wilkinson, owner of the Kansas City Monarchs.
Wilkinson was a white entrepreneur who pioneered black baseball as owner of the Kansas City Monarchs. He began with the Hopkins Brothers Baseball Club (1903-08), leading them away from league play and into barnstorming when that became more profitable, a tactic he would use again to save the Monarchs during the Great Depression. He then developed the Hopkins Brothers Championship Lady Baseball Club (1908-1911) and the All Nations Club (1912-1917) that formed the initial core of the Monarchs. Wilkinson was known as a players' owner, always willing to help a player with finances or advice. His Monarchs survived longer than any other Negro League team and sent more players (27) into Major League Baseball than any other team.
Wilkinson was a white entrepreneur who pioneered black baseball as owner of the Kansas City Monarchs. He began with the Hopkins Brothers Baseball Club (1903-08), leading them away from league play and into barnstorming when that became more profitable, a tactic he would use again to save the Monarchs during the Great Depression. He then developed the Hopkins Brothers Championship Lady Baseball Club (1908-1911) and the All Nations Club (1912-1917) that formed the initial core of the Monarchs. Wilkinson was known as a players' owner, always willing to help a player with finances or advice. His Monarchs survived longer than any other Negro League team and sent more players (27) into Major League Baseball than any other team.