Page 11, The Journal, Buena Vista, GA, Wednesday, February 19, 2020 BV’s Josh Gibson featured as ‘Bobblehead’ on Negro Baseball League Centennial Team The National Bobblehead Hall is always remembered. We have of Fame and Museum recent- been overwhelmed by the ex- ly announced that the Negro citement for the series and are Leagues Centennial Bobblehead thrilled that all of the bobble- Series has been completed, with heads have arrived.” all 32 bobbleheads in stock now. About the Negro Leagues: The Centennial Team Series is The fi rst successful Negro comprised of 30 of the greatest League was founded by Rube African American and Cuban Foster on February 13, 1920 players from 1895-1947 as well at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas as an owner and manager. City. Foster believed an orga- Buena Vista’s own Josh nized league structured like ma- Gibson, often referred to as the jor league baseball would lead “Black Babe Ruth”, is one of to eventual integration of the Hall of Fame Baseball Player the players memorialized with a sport and racial reconciliation. Josh Gibson (above) and his special bobblehead. bobblehead (at right). Foster did not live to see his The series was introduced and dream come true. Others picked partially funded through a suc- ries are: Cool Papa Bell, Ray up his cause and in 1947, Jackie cessful Kickstarter Campaign Brown, Roy Campanella, Os- Robinson broke Major League that concluded in January 2019 car Charleston, Ray Dandridge, Wilson. Baseball’s color line. with a goal of delivering all Leon Day, Martín Dihigo, Rap “We are thrilled to commem- About the National Bobble- Trenton Floyd with his campaign poster bobbleheads by February 2020. Dixon, Larry Doby, John Don- orate a historic number of for- head Hall of Fame and Muse- The goal of the series is to hon- aldson, Rube Foster, Josh Gib- mer Negro League players with um: The National Bobblehead Floyd elected as president or and celebrate the league and son, Pete Hill, Monte Irvin, bobbleheads, which are the ul- Hall of Fame and Museum, its players, many of whom were Judy Johnson, Buck Leonard, timate honor,” said Phil Sklar, which is located at 170 S. 1st. of SW District 4H Sr Board never honored with a bobble- Pop Lloyd, Biz Mackey, José Co-Founder and CEO of the St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Trenton Floyd represented Schley County Schools and head, while also educating the Méndez, Buck O’Neil, Satchel National Bobblehead Hall of opened to the public on Feb- Sumter County 4-H at Southwest District Project Achieve- public about the Negro Leagues Paige, Cannonball Dick Red- Fame and Museum. “These are ruary 1st, 2019. The HOF and ment held at Rock Eagle 4-H Center January 31– February and its players. ding, Bullet Joe Rogan, Hilton the fi rst bobbleheads for over Museum also produces high 2. All 32 of the bobbleheads are Smith, Turkey Stearnes, Mule half of these players, and the quality, customized bobble- He placed third in the Senior Division Public Speaking now available in the National Suttles, Cristóbal Torriente, bobbleheads will help ensure heads for retail sale as well as project. Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Willie Wells, James Wilkinson, that their legacy and vital con- organizations, individuals and He also campaigned for Senior District Board and was Museum’s online store as well Smokey Joe Williams and Jud tribution to baseball and society teams across the country. elected by other high school 4-H’ers from the other 40 coun- as at the museum, while sup- ties in Southwest District. plies last. The bobbleheads are Trenton will serve as the Southwest District Senior Board $30 each with a fl at rate ship- Buena Vista’s Josh Gibson President for the 2020-2021 term. ping charge of $8 per order. Each bobblehead in the se- and the Josh Gibson Center ries is individually numbered to 2,020 and comes in a collector’s By Bryan Sales the “Gentle- community center. box with a “back story” of the What’s this week’s hot topic? men’s Agree- His legacy is also passed Marion County FFA plans player. The bobblehead series is Take a peek into the pressing ment” which down in his descendants. I offi cially licensed by the Negro matters concerning Buena Vis- prevented spoke with Mr. Sean Gibson, Annual Chili Cook-Off ta’s city government, provided black base- the great-grandson of Josh Gib- Leagues Baseball Museum and It’s time for the Marion Coun- by the Mayor of Buena Vista’s ball players son, on the phone this weekend was produced by the National ty Future Farmers of America Youth Reporter Bryan Sales. from joining for an exclusive insightful inter- Bobblehead Hall of Fame and (FFA) Annual Chili Cook-Off, This week’s hot topic is Josh the MLB, view, and got some questions Museum in conjunction with so mark your calendar for one Gibson and honoring his legacy alongside answered. He conveyed to me Dreams Fulfi lled and the Ne- of the hottest events of the year. for Black History Month. Josh any affi liated Bryan Sales the great pride he and his family gro Leagues Baseball Museum. The Chili Cook-Off is set for Gibson was an African-Amer- minor leagues. So despite Gib- take in having Josh Gibson as Approvals have been received Tuesday, February 25 in the ican baseball player who was son’s skill at the sport, he was their ancestor due to him pav- from all the identifi ed estates Marion County Middle-High said to be one of the greatest of not allowed to enter the MLB. ing the way for African-Amer- of players featured in the series. School Cafeteria. all time. Gibson was born and However, that didn’t hinder ican baseball players. Mr. Sean A portion of the proceeds from This is a team competition raised in our own hometown of his progression nor fame with- explained that he keeps his the sale of each Negro Leagues (one or two-person “teams”). bobblehead will go to the rel- Buena Vista until he reached the in the sport. During his time, it great-grandfather’s legacy alive The cost to enter is $10 per eating fun for a $2 “spoon fee.” atives of the Negro League age of 12, in which he moved was estimated that Gibson hit via the Josh Gibson Foundation team. The top three winning It will be all you can eat until players and the Negro Leagues to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. almost 800 homeruns, won mul- of Pittsburgh. The foundation teams will each receive a cash it’s gone. Baseball Museum located in He didn’t play baseball with an tiple Negro League Champion- focuses upon inner city youth prize. The community is welcome to Kansas City, Missouri. organized team until the age of ships, and was inducted into the by providing them with after Teams must have entries avail- participate. Join us for good fun The Negro League Centen- 16, but from there his stardom Baseball Hall of Fame. Gibson school programs, mentoring able to the judges at 4 p.m. and and fellowship. If you would nial Team (1920 – 2020) is began. died at the young age of 35 to a programs, summer camps, and no later than 6 p.m. (crock pots like to attend or compete please comprised of 30 of the greatest The Pittsburgh Crawfords, a brain tumor. many other aids. It is a founda- suggested). contact John Hagin at hagin. African American and Cuban semi-professional team, picked Today, Gibson’s legacy still tion that gives back to the com- All FFA members and guests [email protected] or 706- players from 1895-1947, as well up on his young raw talent, lives on in Buena Vista. The munity and is still thriving in are invited to join in on the chili 649-7520. as one team owner and a man- which led to his name being most important note of this is the our modern age. Josh Gibson’s ager. Each player is depicted on spread far and wide. This is what Josh Gibson Youth and Family legacy will be remembered and a baseball-shaped base with a ultimately led to him being re- Resource Center. The Josh Gib- honored for centuries to come LK Moss Elementary News cruited by the Homestead Grays son Youth and Family Resource through these efforts. replica of Kansas City’s Paseo L.K. Moss Elementary School them get their own library card, at the age of 18, which still Center serves the community. Stay posted for next week’s YMCA, the site where the Ne- reminds the public of two big read with them, and buy them wasn’t a Major League Baseball It offers after school programs, hot topic of the city of Buena gro National League was orga- upcoming events: STEAM books as gifts. Have a favorite (MLB) team. In the 1930s, there resources for people to get their Vista. nized on February 13, 1920. Night on Thursday, February place for books in your home, was an unspoken rule known as GED, and serves as a general The bobbleheads in the se- 27 from 5 to 7 p.m.; and the or even better, put books every- Boots & Bows Dance on Friday, where. Free tax help is available in Marion March 20. Census Count Day is Wednes- day, April 1. Responses to the The Marion County Volunteer The third nine weeks prog- 2020 Census will drive deci- ress reports were handed out on Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sions on the allocation of $675 Wednesday, Feb.