GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - A woman from Grand Rapids is the last living owner of a Negro Leagues baseball team.
Minnie Forbes, 88, was owner of the Detroit Stars for two years from 1956-1958, according to WXMI-TV.
“I’m very grateful to have been a part of the history of the Negro League team, not only Black history but American history,” Forbes said. “It gave me a sense of pride, just to know that I’ve known those great players back in that time.”
Founded in 1920, the Negro Leagues began as a way to give African American players a chance to play professional baseball during segregation.
Forbes joined the Negro Leagues in her mid-20s when her uncle Ted Raspberry purchased two teams, the Detroit Stars and the Kansas City Monarchs.
“At that time, there were only four teams in the league, and he owned two of them, so according to the rules he couldn’t own two teams, so that’s how I ended up with the Detroit Stars,” Forbes recalled.
Although there had been other female owners before her, Forbes said she was the only one during her two years on the league.
Forbes decided to leave the team in 1958 to pursue a career in retail but continues to keep in touch with many players.
In 2013, she was invited to the White House along with other members of the Negro Leagues to be honored by then-President Barack Obama.
Forbes says she is proud to be a part of American baseball history.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.