Charlie “Whip” Davis and Johnny Washington to be honored; Brewers and Reds to wear replica uniforms from the Negro Leagues Era
The Milwaukee Brewers will host the franchise’s sixth annual Negro Leagues Tribute at Miller Park on Saturday, July 9 vs. the Cincinnati Reds 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 John Preston “Pete” Hill. The Cincinnati Reds will join in by donning uniforms of the 1936- 37 Cincinnati Tigers.
On this day, the Brewers will honor former Negro League players Charlie “Whip” Davis and Johnny Washington in a pre-game ceremony. An autograph session with the two honorees will take place during the first 45 minutes of the game on the Field Level Concourse near home plate.
Davis pitched six seasons with the Memphis Reds Sox from 1950-55 and participated in the 1953 East-West All-Star Game. Following his playing career, he managed the Rockdale Rawhide team from 1958-59 in the Georgia/ Alabama Amateur League. Washington pitched for the Chicago American Giants (1949) and Houston Eagles (1950). In 1951, he joined the U.S. Marines and served in Korea. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps national championship baseball team in 1952 and he received two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. Washington played in the minor leagues from 1954-60.
The activities continue on Sunday, July 10 beginning at 1:45 p.m. when Davis and Washington will be inducted into the Yesterday’s Negro League Hall of Fame at the Mother Kathryn Daniel 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 pitcher Ollie Brantley and first baseman/ outfielder Clinton “Butch” Mc- Cord (2010); 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) as they were inducted 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 honored. The Brewers will auction the game-worn Milwaukee Bears uniforms worn by Brewers players and coaches at brewers.com, starting at noon CST on Wednesday, July 13 and continuing through Wednesday, July 27 at 5 p.m. CST. The proceeds from the auction will go to Brewers Community Foundation to 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.
