The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Hall of Game Press Conference - 9.9.23

In its seventh induction class, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) has selected five pitchers from the iconic group known as the “Black Aces” to be inducted into its “Hall of Game.” The announcement was made during a press conference held at the NLBM today. The Black Aces, a term coined by the late, great Jim “Mudcat” Grant, celebrates the 15 African American pitchers to win 20 games or more in a Major League Baseball season. Five members of the group headline the Hall of Game Class of 2023 which includes the late Vida Blue (posthumous), Al Downing, Dwight Gooden, Mike Norris and Dontrelle Willis. Dave Stewart, who will accept on behalf of Blue, his former Oakland A’s teammate, Ferguson Jenkins, J.R. Richard, and Mudcat Grant were inducted into the Hall of Game in previous years. CC Sabathia and David Price had schedule conflicts and will be inducted in a subsequent class.