HBCU Swingman Classic: A Celebration of Black History and Future Stars in MLB

The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Week gets a vibrant kick-off this year with the second annual HBCU Swingman Classic presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation. The event, taking place on July 12th at Globe Life Field, the home of the World Champion Texas Rangers, shines a spotlight on the rich history and exceptional talent of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) baseball programs. The league didn’t skimp on culture. From the tapping of Grammy award-winning Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, who set to open the singing of both the U.S. National Anthem and the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, to the “Divine Nine” step show and Battle of the Bands that can only be topped by the appearance from the Grandmother of Juneteenth, Opal Lee.& In a showcase for rising stars, the HBCU Swingman Classic will feature the top 50 college players from Division I HBCU programs across the nation. These athletes, meticulously selected by a committee that includes Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., will showcase their skills in a game format, offering an opportunity for them to be seen by MLB scouts and a national audience. The event aims...