NLBM September 5, 2025
August 26, 2025 – Kansas City, MO – The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) today announced that Dusty Baker, Cito Gaston, Willie Randolph, and Jerry Manuel will make up the 2025 Hall of Game Class, presented by Hy-Vee, with Tony Reagins receiving the inaugural JL Wilkinson “Innovator” Award. The distinguished class will be officially inducted in ceremonies on Saturday, October 4 from the Sheraton Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City.
The 2025 Hall of Game class celebrates some of baseball’s greatest Black managers during the 50th anniversary of Frank Robinson breaking Major League Baseball’s managerial color barrier. These men are an extension of the brilliant managers of the Negro Leagues, who didn’t get the opportunity to transition into Major League Baseball after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947. The celebration of African American managers is connected to the museum’s groundbreaking exhibit, entitled “Leaders and Innovators,” that’s on display through March 2026.
“It is my distinct honor to welcome Dusty Baker, Cito Gaston, Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s Hall of Game and to award Tony Reagins with the JL Wilkinson Innovator Award,” said Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. “They embody the winning spirit and leadership of the Negro Leagues, through their on and off-field endeavors. They are all leaders and innovators who have continued to move the great game of baseball forward while embracing the greats of Black baseball’s past.”
Dusty Baker, the winningest African-American manager in baseball history headlines a distinguished 2025 Hall of Game Class. Baker played for 19 seasons, is a two-time World Series champion, a three-time Manager of the Year, leading five different teams to playoff appearances and division titles.
Cito Gaston is the first black manager to win an MLB World Series. Gaston played 11 seasons and spent his entire managerial career with the Jays winning back-to-back titles in 1992-93.
Willie Randolph, widely regarded as one of the greatest second basemen ever, became the New York Mets’ first Black manager in 2005. Over his 18-year playing career, Randolph won two World Series and appeared in six All-Star Games.
Jerry Manuel found his greatest success in the dugout, winning the 1997 World Series as a coach with the Florida Marlins, then managing the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets, earning AL Manager of the Year in 2000.
The inaugural JL Wilkinson “Innovator” Award is being presented to Tony Reagins, Chief Baseball Development Officer for Major League Baseball. Although Reagins never played professionally, he built an illustrious career in front-office roles, serving as the Angels’ Director of Player Development before becoming General Manager in 2007. During his tenure, the Angels won back-to-back American League West titles and had their first-ever 100-win season, earning Reagins the Andrew “Rube” Foster American League Executive of the Year honor from the NLBM. Today, this visionary is helping grow the game, and its inclusivity, having developed a number of innovative programs and initiatives that is making the game more accessible to underserved communities.
J.L. Wilkinson was the only white owner of the original eight teams when the Negro Leagues were established in 1920. He owned the great Kansas City Monarchs and built one of the greatest baseball franchises, not in Black baseball history, but in baseball history. Wilkie, as he was affectionately known, would also pioneer “night baseball” in 1930 which was five years before games under the light were played in the Majors. His grandson, Ed Catron, was in attendance for the introduction of the award.
Established by the NLBM in 2014, the Hall of Game is a national baseball celebration that annually honors former MLB greats who embodied the spirit and signature style of the Negro Leagues. The 2025 inductees will join baseball greats from the previous classes, which have included some of the game’s biggest and brightest stars such as Roberto Clemente, Joe Morgan, Rickey Henderson, Ozzie Smith, Dave Winfield, Dwight Gooden, the late Dave Parker and Dick Allen amongst a legendary group of others. In addition to the induction ceremony, Hall of Game honorees also will receive permanent recognition as part of the future Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center being developed by the NLBM at the site of the Paseo YMCA, the birthplace of the Negro Leagues.
The 2025 Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Hall of Game induction ceremony. presented by Hy-Vee, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 4 at the Sheraton Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, MO. All proceeds will benefit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and their Pitch for the Future aimed at raising funds for a new 30,000 sq ft museum and learning center.
Tickets + Event Information: www.nlbm.com/events/2025-hall-of-game-presented-by-hy-vee
About the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum:
The NLBM, located in Kansas City, Missouri’s historic 18th & Vine District, is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. The NLBM is a privately funded, 501c3 not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1990. The NLBM operates two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where the Negro National League was founded by Andrew “Rube” Foster in 1920. The site has been designated as the future home of the John “Buck” O’Neil Education and Research Center.
