Ollie Brantley and Clinton “Butch” McCord to be honored

The Milwaukee Brewers will host the franchise’s annual ‘Negro Leagues Tribute’ at Miller Park on Saturday, May 29 vs. the New York Mets at 6:10 p.m.

As part of the Negro Leagues Tribute, the Brewers will wear reproductions of uniforms worn by the Milwaukee Bears, the city’s 1923 representative in the Negro National League. The team played only one season before disbanding but featured some of the game’s most influential men, including Hall-of-Fame player/manager Preston “Pete” Hill. The New York Mets will join in by donning uniforms that will honor the New York Cubans, who played in the Negro Leagues from 1935-36 and 1939-50.

On this day, the Brewers will honor former Negro League players Ollie Brantley and Clinton “Butch” McCord in a pre-game ceremony. Brantley pitched two seasons with the Memphis Red Sox (1951-52) and played in the minor leagues from 1953-69. McCord spent five seasons in the Negro Leagues as a first baseman and outfielder with the Nashville Cubs and Black Vols, Baltimore Elite Giants and the Chicago American Giants from 1946-50. He also played in the minor leagues from 1951-61. NOTE: McCord is unable to travel to Milwaukee, but his former American Giants teammate, Joe B. Scott, will attend on McCord’s behalf.

The activities continue on Sunday, May 30 beginning at 1 p.m., when Brantley and McCord are inducted into the ‘Yesterday’s Negro League Hall of Fame’ at the Mother Kathryn Daniels Center located at 3500 W. Mother Daniels Way on the grounds of Milwaukee’s Holy Redeemer Church (COGIC). The Brewers are once again partnering with the MKDC and the church as a sponsor of the annual induction ceremonies and other initiatives. This event is open to the public.

In previous years, the Brewers recognized infielder Harold “Buster” Hair Jr. and catcher James “Jim P” Tillman Sr. (2009); pitcher Eugene ‘Dick’ Scruggs and first baseman James ‘Red’ Moore (2008); and outfielder W. James ‘Jim’ Cobbin and catcher Arthur Hamilton (2007) into the Yesterday’s Negro League Hall of Fame. During the Brewers initial Negro Leagues Tribute in 2006, Buck O’Neil, James Sanders and Dennis Biddle were each recognized.

The Brewers will auction the game-worn Milwaukee Bears uniforms worn by Brewers players and coaches at brewers.com, starting at noon on June 2 and continuing through 5 p.m. on June 16. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball Players Foundation and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. For additional information or ticket info, fans can visit www.brewers.com.

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