In a recent blog post on my Batavia Baseball Experience, I mentioned a wall of fame near the concession stand.  One of the more interesting plaques I read was about Gene Baker.  Baker was a prolific shortstop with the Kansas City Monarchs, then a Chicago Cubs minor leaguer.  Baker moved up to the big club and changed positions to accommodate another outstanding Cubs shortstop, Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks. As great as Baker was on the field as a player, his historical place on the bench is what many credit him with.  Baker became the first African American to … Continue reading Batavia Pirates, Player- Manager Gene Baker Make Baseball History