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Lot # 226: 1954 Norfolk Tars, "Team and Stadium Integrated" Important Photo of Baseball Social Change

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 12 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "July Collectors Auction 2021",
which ran from 7/6/2021 1:00 AM to
7/17/2021 8:00 PM



By 1953, many things in baseball had changed but others were still woefully stuck in the past. As expected, the south lagged behind in integration both on the field and in the stands, but things were starting to change. Social pressure from Civil Rights organizations started the ball rolling and boycott's led to both black players being allowed on the Norfolk Tars baseball team, and the complete desegregation of the seating in the stands! Offered here is a rare image of the moment things changed as the six new black players on the Tars roster were pictured in uniform for the first time with their manager Skeeter Scalzi and posing at the new integrated stadium! Entire articles and websites are devoted to this team and the social change they ushered into Virginia and as such, it is an important piece of baseball history! There is a nice article written about the team and it's impact on the Civil Rights Movement here https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/norfolk-desegregates-baseball/

Size: 8x10
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 9.5/10

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