Baseball is often referred to as America’s pastime, but until recently, the accomplishments of many Black players were not formally recognized by Major League Baseball.

That changed in May when statistics from Negro Leagues players were officially added to the MLB record books.

In 2020, the United States Mint created a commemorative coin collection to honor the Negro National League on the centennial anniversary of its founding.

An exhibit of those coins opened at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Money Museum this month. The collection features silver, gold and clad coins depicting Negro Leagues players and other objects from the time.

An exhibit now on display at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Money Museum honors players in the Negro Leagues. (WTTW News)

James E. Brunson III, a historian of Black baseball, says the exhibit gives important insight into the leagues and their players.  

“It allows us to peer into the life of Black baseball as it was played in the city of Chicago with Andrew “Rube” Foster, who is certainly considered the father of Black baseball,” said Brunson.

The coin that I am especially fascinated with is the one with the bus on it, certainly a tribute to the mobility, flexibility and comfort that was provided for Black baseball teams at a time when Jim Crow was rather rampant,” he said.  

The exhibit will run at The Fed, 230 S. LaSalle St., at least into early 2025. The museum is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.