GreenJackets to Honor Augusta Rams, Leonard Hunt on April 20th

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GreenJackets to Honor Augusta Rams, Leonard Hunt on April 20th

Players to Don Special Jerseys Acknowledging First Black Professional Player in Augusta History

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: The Augusta GreenJackets, Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, are excited to announce that on Saturday, April 20^th, they will take the field for Augusta Rams Night in partnership with LifeLink of Georgia.

The game is part of the team’s participation in Minor League Baseball’s “The Nine” initiative. Launched in 2022, “The Nine” is a black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout Minor League Baseball's 120 communities nationwide.

Named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946, The Nine connects MiLB teams’ existing, black-community focused development efforts with new national programming and future special events in a coordinated and centralized campaign.

For more information about The Nine, click here.

The current-day Augusta GreenJackets will wear special Augusta Rams jerseys for one night only on April 20^th at SRP Park. For Augusta Rams Night, the GreenJackets are excited to partner with LifeLink of Georgia. "We look forward to celebrating this unique night honoring the legacy of the Augusta Rams and Leonard Hunt while also educating GreenJackets fans on organ and tissue donation.” says, Tracy Ide, Public Affairs Manager. Fans can bid on these one-of-a-kind jerseys at greenjacketsbaseball.com, with proceeds going to benefit the Paine College baseball program down the road in Augusta. Merchandise bearing the Augusta Rams logo and the royal blue and white style is available at the Hive Pro Shop.

Professional baseball in Augusta dates back to 1884, when the Augusta Browns were formed. The ballclub changed names and ownerships several times, being known as the Electricians, Tourists, and Tigers, to name a few. However, it wasn’t until 1954 that the first African-American player signed on with the ballclub, Leonard Hunt.

Hunt, a speedy outfielder who hit for a high average, was optioned to Augusta from the AA team in Dallas in June of 1954. He had spent the previous season with the Texarkana Tigers of the Class B Big State League, where he hit .313 and drove in 70 runs across 129 games. Hunt made his unofficial debut as a 3^rd base coach on June 16^th against the Columbia Reds, and his official playing debut the next day, June 17^th, going 0-1 at the plate.

All told, Leonard Hunt appeared in 77 games for the Rams, hitting to a .325 average with 29 extra base hits and 39 RBI. He would eventually be reassigned to the Big State League, where he finished the 1954 season with the Tyler Tigers. Hunt would finish his recorded career with a pair of seasons in the Class C Northern League with the Aberdeen Pheasants in South Dakota before retiring. Upon his retirement, Hunt returned to his home of St. Louis, and became a schoolteacher.

The Augusta Rams existed for two seasons, 1953 and 1954, playing at Jennings Stadium in downtown Augusta. Following the ’54 season, the Augusta club were picked up as an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and changed their name back to the Augusta Tigers as it had been from 1936-1942 as well as 1946-1952.

About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Single-A affiliate Atlanta Braves. Opening Day is Friday, April 5^th. 2024 Augusta GreenJackets Full, Half and 20-game season seat memberships are on sale now. To learn more about the benefits and to lock in your seat to cheer on the Braves of tomorrow, visit www.gjmembers.com or call (803) 349-WINS (9467).

For team merchandise or more information visit www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. Stay up to date on all things GreenJackets and Events at SRP Park by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and sign up for the ‘Jackets Buzz e-newsletter today by visiting https://atmilb.com/3yr4mrw

SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, “playball" development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class "A" office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.

About LifeLink of Georgia

LifeLink of Georgia, a non-profit community service organization, partners with hospitals to support and guide families as they establish their loved one’s legacy through organ and tissue donation. LifeLink carries out their mission with compassion through dedicated team members who work tirelessly towards the goal shared with professional partners, the families served, and communities impacted. For more information on LifeLink, or to register as an organ and tissue donor, visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org.

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