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Chicago Tribune
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Thornwood's Amira Hondras stars in Double Duty Classic at Chicago White Sox's Rate Field. Is college baseball next?
As a girl who plays varsity baseball for Thornwood, Amira Hondras has become accustomed to breaking barriers. Her latest first was quite an exciting one. On July 2, she became the first female to play in the Double Duty Classic at the Chicago White Sox's Rate Field. The annual event, which started in 2007, is an all-star game for inner-city players across the country designed to promote baseball in inner cities and honor the history of Negro League baseball. The game is named after Negro League star Ted 'Double Duty' Radcliffe. 'Being able to be the first girl to play in this Double Duty Classic game is definitely an honor and a privilege,' Hondras said. 'I'm so grateful for the opportunity and everybody that's helped me get to this point. 'These are definitely the moments I've dreamed of ever since I was a little kid and started playing baseball.' Hondras did more than just take the field at an MLB park. She came through with the biggest hit of the game, ripping a two-run single to left field with two outs in the fifth inning to help the East All-Stars earn a 7-2 win over the West All-Stars. 'It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders a little bit,' Hondras said. 'I felt like no matter what the outcome was, I'm super grateful to be out here, but it was definitely an amazing feeling.' Hondras — who is heading into her senior year at Thornwood, where she pitches and plays both infield and outfield — also stole third base. She struck out in her second and final at-bat. When she came through with the big hit, however, the crowd went wild. Hondras was cheered on enthusiastically throughout the night. 'That felt great,' Hondras said. 'Being able to have all this support means the world to me. Knowing I had people behind me, I'm super grateful for that.' It wasn't lost on Hondras that many of the people making the loudest noise on her behalf were younger girls who came to watch her play. 'At the end of the day, that's what it's all about,' Hondras said. 'Inspiring the younger generation of girls who really want to play baseball. It's all about having them see it happen and being like, 'Oh, OK, I can do this.'' Hondras certainly left a strong impression on her teammates in the game. Mario Medina, a catcher headed into his senior year at Mount Carmel, was also a part of the East's winning team and delivered an RBI single. He was thrilled Hondras had her big moment. 'That was really good,' Medina said. 'It was a big hit. It sealed the deal for us pretty much. It was great to see her succeed.' In 2020, Hondras became the first girl to play for the White Sox ACE program, which helps put on the Double Duty Classic and had many of its players in this year's game. Troy Williams, the director of ACE and Community Baseball Programs for the White Sox, has seen Hondras continue to thrive in a sport that most expected her to leave a long time ago. 'Amira is a special kid,' Williams said. 'She never allowed people to sway her away from playing the game. She could have easily went to the softball side and I'm sure she would have been great there, too. But she continues to grind and she's like, 'I'm going to do it until I can't do it anymore.' 'Having her play in this game, I'm proud of her, I'm happy for her, and I hope she's enjoying every moment.' On the morning of the Double Duty Classic, an announcement was made regarding the launch of the new Women's Professional Baseball League, founded by Justine Siegal, the first woman to coach for an MLB team. That was certainly exciting news for Hondras. 'Seeing stuff like the women's pro league and the women's national team, seeing all that happening at such a fast and all the girls playing baseball, it's really almost a dream come true,' she said. Hondras has a big decision coming fairly soon. With college around the corner, she's considered to switching to softball, but she recently received her first offer from a college baseball team. 'For me, the dream would still be to play baseball in college,' she said. 'I've always wanted to keep playing until somebody stops me. But at the end of the day, I just want to go play somewhere that feels like home. 'I'm going to follow my heart.'
Black America Web
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
10 Country African American Artists You Should Know
Black Music Month is a time to honor the rich tapestry of sounds and stories woven by Black artists across genres, including the soulful twang of country music. Country music is a very white, male-dominated space, but don't be fooled by what's in the spotlight; many black and brown faces with talent have made big strides laying the foundation of roots and rhythm for the genre. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. DeFord Bailey started his career as a musician and writer in the 1920s and is considered the first African-American Country music star. Bailey was widely known for his harmonica playing and became one of the first artists to play on Nashville radio station WSM's Grand Ole Opry. It is said that his face was often concealed to hide his skin color/ethnicity during these times of segregation. And then there's Charlie Pride, who started off as a Negro League baseball player but switched careers becoming widely know as country music's first black superstar. Pride had an amazing career, outselling powerhouse stars like Elvis and John Denver. Pride won many awards during his career but in 2000 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. ✕ But we can't talk about African American pioneers in country music without talking about the first commercially successful black woman in the genre, Linda Martell. Martell started her career singing gospel and R&B but soon found her way to country music where her career took off. In 1970 she appeared on many country shows, including the popular Hee Haw, and the Grand Ole Opry radio broadcast, becoming the first black woman to perform on the show. From trailblazers like Charlie Pride and DeFord Bailey to modern icons like Mickey Guyton and Kane Brown, these 10 Black country artists have shattered barriers, redefined the genre, and left an indelible mark on music history. Their voices echo resilience, innovation, and a legacy worth celebrating. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! HEAD TO THE HOMEPAGE The article '10 Country African American Artists You Should Know' was created with the help of
New York Post
07-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Jackie Robinson, Minnie Minoso mural vandalized in Miami
Police are investigating after vandals defaced a mural of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso that is part of a collection of artwork honoring baseball players in Miami's Overtown neighborhood. The vandalism was discovered Sunday by a 7-year-old boy who asked his mother what the words and the Nazi symbols meant, community leaders said during a news conference. City workers have since partially covered the murals of Robinson and Miñoso, an Afro-Cuban player, with wooden boards. 3 Murals of baseball legends Minnie Miñoso, second from left, and Jackie Robinson, third from left, are covered with plywood after being defaced in Miami's Overtown neighborhood, Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Miami. AP The murals are along a fence at Dorsey Park, where Negro League teams once played baseball. 'I know you may not be able to show it on television, but we need the community to uncover the hurt and the hatred that is existing. The reason why this keeps being perpetuated is because we keep covering it up,' said Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, an executive director with the city of Miami Black Police Precinct. On Wednesday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement that she is outraged by the 'vile act of hatred.' 3 A portrait of Brooklyn Dodgers' infielder Jackie Robinson in uniform. Getty Images 'We must treat this for what it is: a hate crime meant to instill fear and division. But we will not be intimidated. We will respond with unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the preservation of our history,' she said. Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 when he became the first black player, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Miñoso became the league's first Afro-Latino player and the first black player for the Chicago White Sox. 3 Minnie Minoso was the MLB's first Afro-Latino player. New York Post The murals have been displayed in the park since 2011 and are a collaboration between artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson and various community groups. Police have yet to make any arrests for the vandalism. 'This was more than a defaced mural — it was an attempt to silence our story,' said Dr. Saliha Nelson, CEO of Urgent, Inc. 'But we will not be erased. We will restore this mural and celebrate this space as a symbol of agency, pride, and excellence.'
05-06-2025
- Sport
A mural honoring Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso is defaced with racist graffiti in Miami
MIAMI -- Police are investigating after vandals defaced a mural of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso that is part of a collection of artwork honoring baseball players in Miami's Overtown neighborhood. The vandalism was discovered Sunday by a 7-year-old boy who asked his mother what the words and the Nazi symbols meant, community leaders said during a news conference. City workers have since partially covered the murals of Robinson and Miñoso, an Afro-Cuban player, with wooden boards. The murals are along a fence at Dorsey Park, where Negro League teams once played baseball. 'I know you may not be able to show it on television, but we need the community to uncover the hurt and the hatred that is existing. The reason why this keeps being perpetuated is because we keep covering it up,' said Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, an executive director with the city of Miami Black Police Precinct. On Wednesday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement that she is outraged by the 'vile act of hatred.' 'We must treat this for what it is: a hate crime meant to instill fear and division. But we will not be intimidated. We will respond with unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the preservation of our history," she said. Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 when he became the first Black player, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Miñoso became the league's first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox. The murals have been displayed in the park since 2011 and are a collaboration between artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson and various community groups. Police have yet to make any arrests for the vandalism. 'This was more than a defaced mural — it was an attempt to silence our story,' said Dr. Saliha Nelson, CEO of Urgent, Inc. 'But we will not be erased. We will restore this mural and celebrate this space as a symbol of agency, pride, and excellence.'
Hamilton Spectator
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
A mural honoring Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso is defaced with racist graffiti in Miami
MIAMI (AP) — Police are investigating after vandals defaced a mural of baseball legends Jackie Robinson and Minnie Miñoso that is part of a collection of artwork honoring baseball players in Miami's Overtown neighborhood. The vandalism was discovered Sunday by a 7-year-old boy who asked his mother what the words and the Nazi symbols meant, community leaders said during a news conference. City workers have since partially covered the murals of Robinson and Miñoso, an Afro-Cuban player, with wooden boards. The murals are along a fence at Dorsey Park, where Negro League teams once played baseball. 'I know you may not be able to show it on television, but we need the community to uncover the hurt and the hatred that is existing. The reason why this keeps being perpetuated is because we keep covering it up,' said Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant, an executive director with the city of Miami Black Police Precinct. On Wednesday, Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement that she is outraged by the 'vile act of hatred.' 'We must treat this for what it is: a hate crime meant to instill fear and division. But we will not be intimidated. We will respond with unity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the preservation of our history,' she said. Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947 when he became the first Black player, signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Miñoso became the league's first Afro-Latino player and the first Black player for the Chicago White Sox. The murals have been displayed in the park since 2011 and are a collaboration between artists Kyle Holbrook and Kadir Nelson and various community groups. Police have yet to make any arrests for the vandalism. 'This was more than a defaced mural — it was an attempt to silence our story,' said Dr. Saliha Nelson, CEO of Urgent, Inc. 'But we will not be erased. We will restore this mural and celebrate this space as a symbol of agency, pride, and excellence.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
