New York Black Yankees Night Pays Tribute To Historic Team With Special Guests

Bridgewater, New Jersey – For the third consecutive season, the Somerset Patriots paid tribute to the Negro Leagues’ New York Black Yankees by playing as the historic team and hosting a tribute night featuring a special program and guests.

Imagine this infield 💭 pic.twitter.com/eFgWkOeBbF

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 2, 2025

The New York Black Yankees were a professional Negro Leagues baseball team based in New York City, Paterson, New Jersey, and Rochester, New York from 1932 to 1948, and independently through 1957. It is the third season the Patriots will pay tribute to the iconic team through their New York Black Yankees initiative.

On Saturday, August 2, the Patriots honored the legacy of the team through its New York Black Yankees initiative and Minor League Baseball’s “The Nine” program.

Two former Negro Leagues players, James Cobbin and Dennis Biddle, appeared at the event and took part in the pregame ceremonies including a Q&A moderated by WFAN’s Keith McPherson. Both were joined by Yankees great and New York Black Yankees ambassador Willie Randolph for the program and then threw ceremonial first pitches before signing autographs for fans during the game.

“For me to be a part of this and be a part of history and be able to come out each year and just keep the energy going and keep the whole idea of what baseball is about going back in the day where a lot of these kids didn’t know about it,” said Randolph. “For all the players in the dugout on both sides, look at your history and really dig deep into what these guys have done.”

Cobbin signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but facing racial discrimination during spring training, he accepted an offer to play in the Negro Leagues. Cobbin played in the Negro Leagues from 1956 to 1957 for the New York Black Yankees and the Indianapolis Clowns.

Biddle made his debut in the Negro Leagues in 1953 at just 17 years old for the Chicago American Giants. His promising career was cut short the following year due to an ankle injury. He is remembered for the nickname he earned as "The Man Who Beat the Man Who Beat the Man" after achieving a victory against a pitcher who had previously defeated the legendary Satchel Paige.

During the pre-game ceremonies, Biddle signed an honorary contract to become a New York Black Yankee and was then presented, along with Cobbin, with a Black Yankees jersey by Patriots Co-Chairmen Jonathan and Josh Kalafer.

The pre-game program also included remarks from TD Bank’s Senior Relationship Manager Melissa Marcopoto, Executive Director of the Prince Rodgers Foundation Lorayn Allen and Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum‘s Anita Williams Galiano.

Patriots players and coaches wore special jerseys and hats with logos specifically created to honor the Black Yankees. The designs were created to give the historic team their own identity and branding they never had since they played in look-a-like Yankees uniforms during their existence.

The jerseys were auctioned off online to raise money for Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum and their work to tell the story of the unique culture, experiences, and contributions of the African American community of the Sourland Mountain Region.

The New York Black Yankees were founded by the famous American tap dancer, singer and Hollywood actor, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. To honor Bojangles, Ohiole Dibua, a street twirler from Baltimore, MD, entertained fans with elements of street dancing, twirling, magic and comedy. He has entertained audiences around the world ranging from major sporting events and several “Got Talent” television programs internationally.

The 40+ Double Dutch Club Plainfield jumping roped with fans, entertaining on the field and bringing lots of energy at the game. The Plainfield Vikings also entertained fans as part of the ceremonies.

The first 2,000 fans in attendance also received commemorative card strip featuring New York Black Yankees James Cobbin, John “Neck” Stanley, “Big George” Crowe and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson as they entered the ballpark.

Partners for the event currently include SSAAM, Prince Rodgers Foundation, the City of Plainfield and Renaissance Cyclists Defeating Cancer

Music during the game highlighted Black artists throughout history and fans were able to enjoy soul food and beverage from Family Flava.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the National Anthem were performed by Beverly Whithers.

“Honoring the New York Black Yankees is a special event for our organization to organize on an annual basis,” said Patriots Senior Vice President of Marketing Dave Marek. “The intention is to build the program year in and year out, while forming new partnerships to educate our fanbase on these great players that played in the 30s - the 50s so they will not be forgotten. A crowning achievement this season included presenting a living New York Black Yankee legend, James Cobbin, with his own Black Yankees jersey as well as honoring Bill "Bojangles" Robinson with amazing entertainment from pre-game to the end of game. It was a beautiful night of celebration!”