New York Black Yankees Souvenir Pennant (c. 1940's)

This souvenir pennant was sold at stadiums where the New York Black Yankees of the Negro National League (NNL) played. 



When the New York Lincoln Giants folded after the 1930 season, a void in black baseball was created in the New York City area. The New York Black Yankees were formed in 1931 by black entertainer, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. He sold the Black Yankees to Harlem racketeer, James "Soldier Boy" Semler in 1932. Semler owned the team from 1932 to 1948. The New York Black Yankees played an independent schedule during the first several years of their existence. They started off with a strong line-up of established Negro League stars like: Larry Brown, Frank Duncan, Crush Holloway, Clarence "Fats" Jenkins, John Henry" Pop" Lloyd, Webster McDonald, Ted Page, George "Tubby" Scales, Clint Thomas and Dave Thomas. George Scales served as the team's first manager. The Black Yankees played an independent schedule from 1931 to 1935. In 1936 they joined the Negro National League. Unlike their "white" counterpart (New York Yankees of American League), they finished in last or next to last in every season that they played in the Negro National League. The New York Black Yankees played in the Negro National League from 1936 to 1948.

Satchel Paige - New York Black Yankees (1941)

Other Negro League stars who played for the New York Black Yankees during their Negro National League career include: Ted "Double Duty" Radcliffe, Satchel Paige, George "Mule" Suttles and Willie Wells.

When the Negro National League folded in 1948, the New York Black Yankees continued to play an independent-barnstorming schedule for the 1949 and 1950 seasons. The New York Black Yankees folded after their 1950 season.

Satchel Paige - New York Black Yankees (1941)