Troy is continuously adamant about his prowess in baseball throughout the play. He’s always going on about how he’s better than many of Major Leagues greatest like Babe Ruth. All while saying this at the ripe old age of 50 years old; however Troy never wanted to join due the fact that Black players were paid less then Major League players, despite having more talent. Black players began playing competitively in the 1870s and the first black professional baseball team was formed in 1885, known as the Babylon Black Panthers. Since then 24 teams from across the Nation were created, Troy’s home team might have been the Pittsburgh Crawford’s with players like Satchel Paige and Cool Papa Bell. The Negro Leagues although often financed through illegal racketeering and gambling tycoons like Gus Greenlee, it had positive effect on the Black community. It gave black kids and adults a source of entertainment before televisions were widely available. It also allowed for the Black Community to have their own celebrities and heroes. The Negro Leagues were one of the first avenues for Black Americans to uplift their race in the American athlete arena.  |
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