Cincinnati Reds to host third annual Civil Rights Game

Major League Baseball and the Cincinnati Reds today announced that Great American Ball Park will be the host site for the third annual Major League Baseball Civil Rights Game. The Cincinnati Reds will play against the Chicago White Sox on June 20, 2009. This marks the first time that the Major League Baseball Civil Rights Game will be a regular season game and played at a major league ballpark.

The Civil Rights Game, held in Memphis the last two years, pays tribute to one of our country's most significant eras of social change and honors Major League Baseball's involvement in the historic struggle through which legendary African American players broke barriers and made important contributions to American society.

"Major League Baseball is committed to the significance and impact of this very important event," said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. "Now in its third year, Major League Baseball is excited to bring the Civil Rights Game to its new regular-season host City of Cincinnati. We hope that the community will embrace its importance and its message as we remember and honor the African American pioneers of our game."

A two-year agreement to host Major League Baseball Civil Rights Game was also announced today by Major League Baseball and the Cincinnati Reds. The game will culminate two days of events commemorating the Civil Rights Movement.

"As the final stop to freedom at the northern end of the Underground Railroad, Cincinnati played a significant role in the struggle to free our country from slavery and civil rights injustice," said Robert H. Castellini, Reds President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud that our team and our city will be involved with Major League Baseball and the Civil Rights Game in helping promote awareness of how baseball played a part in one of the most significant social changes in our nation's history."

"It truly is an honor for the Chicago White Sox to once again participate in Major League Baseball's Civil Rights Game, this time as part of our regular-season schedule," said Jerry Reinsdorf, White Sox chairman. "Every member of our travel party, from Ken Williams to Ozzie Guillen, our coaches, players, staff and families, was touched by last year's experience in Memphis and our visit to the Civil Rights Museum. We all benefit from understanding the sacrifices made by Americans of all races as part of the Civil Rights movement in this country, a movement that continues in a variety of ways to this very day."

"Cincinnati is proud to host the first regular-season Civil Rights Game," said Mayor Mark Mallory. "Cincinnati was the first point for freedom for many people. The Civil Rights game is an excellent opportunity to continue our ongoing national efforts to advance civil rights."

Cincinnati, a city rich with civil rights history, once served as a heavily traveled site in the passage to freedom for slaves during the years leading up to the American Civil War. The hidden trails, which became known as the "Underground Railroad," were the sites where many men and woman overcame harsh conditions and many dangers to free themselves from slavery. A stone's throw away from the Great American Ball Park is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which opened its doors in 2004 and now serves as a reminder of the many stories about freedom's heroes and challenges everyone to take courageous steps for the freedoms of today.

A panel discussion and fundraising banquet honoring the recipients of the third annual Major League Baseball (MLB) Beacon Awards will once again be part of the weekend activities. Last year's panel discussion was entitled Baseball and the Civil Rights Movement and was held at the National Civil Rights Museum. The MLB Beacon awards will be given to three individuals who capture the essence of the Civil Rights Movement throughout their lives. Past recipients of the MLB Beacon Award include: Hall of Famer Frank Robinson; Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actress Ruby Dee; the late Johnson Publishing founder John H. Johnson; the late Negro League legend Buck O'Neil; award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee; and Vera Clemente, widow of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.

Proceeds from the banquet and other Civil Rights Game events will be donated to charity. Further information on events surrounding the Major League Baseball Civil Rights Game and ticket sales will be announced at a later date.