History on display at Fanfest

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One of the best sports moments I’ve experienced came at the 2010 All-Star Game’s Fanfest.

There in the case in front of me was the authentic retirement jersey of Jackie Robinson. Fans of guys named Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig can have similar experiences.

The Major League Baseball Hall of Fame has brought over several articles from some of the game’s greatest players. Historians can find a glove and ball signed by Ty Cobb or the Cardinals jersey worn by Lou Brock when he tallied hit No. 3,000.

But there are also historical pieces from the lesser-known Negro and All-American Girls Professional Baseball Leagues.

The jerseys of pitching great Satchel Paige and slugger Josh Gibson sat side by side in glass-covered lockers. Near that was a photo of Branch Rickey and Robinson signing the papers that made Robinson a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers and integrated baseball.

Also in the historical portion of the Convention Center were the skirted jerseys worn by the women of the AAGPBL. They played in jerseys that exposed their legs but braved slides, curfews and charm school in the game created by former Cubs owner Phillip K. Wrigley in an effort to keep baseball relevant during World War II.

-- DeAntae Prince