PHOTOS by Mark Andreasen

By Paula Pyzik Scott

To enjoy the celebration of Alger native and Negro Leagues baseball star Ray Brown at the dedication of a park in his name, you didn’t have to be from Alger and you didn’t have to be a baseball fan. On May 14, supporters from near and far came to Alger to witness a lasting tribute to an outstanding individual and to applaud the people who made Ray Brown Memorial Park happen.

The event itself has been eagerly awaited for at least a year, during which you couldn’t help but wonder, who will come to the dedication? Governor Mike DeWine, an Ohio Northern law alum and staunch baseball fan, spoke in the dedication ceremony, signed commemorative baseballs and clearly relished his time in Alger.

Perhaps most remarkably, Ray Brown’s niece Dianne Baker Moseby was there from out of state. She notes that she was very young when she knew him, but remembers her uncle fondly. “I am so glad that this community embraced him, being black, it made me very happy…. He was very quiet but such a nice guy.”

Leslie Heaphy, a member of the committee who voted some 20 years ago to elect Brown to the National Baseball Hall of Fame was there. An associate professor of history at Kent State-Stark and author of The Negro leagues, 1869-1960, she wore a Dayton Marcos jersey referencing the first pro team for which Brown played.

Alger resident Jerry Cramer attended the event and shared stories from his family, who knew Brown and his family. Cramer has provided a c. 1927-28 photo of Brown on an Alger baseball field with his high school teammates, white and black. He is eager to do more research using local newspapers to uncover details of Brown’s early career.

News crews buzzed around the gathering, which included an overflow of visitors near the canopy-covered stage and seating. The day was sunny but brisk, spring conditions that baseball fans are accustomed to. Cars were parked in an open field with the assistance of the Hardin County Sheriff’s mounted patrol.

Prior to the ceremonies, ONU history students and the Hardin County Historical Museums held a raffle for baseball tickets to Ohio pro teams and sold Alger baseball shirts with "Ray Brown 26" on the back. Free commemorative baseballs were distributed.

Guests found an improved Village of Alger park with two entrance archways, the official State of Ohio marker, two murals by ONU graduate Aubrey Davis, and improvements to the ball fields.

The Remarkable Ohio program now provides a road map to Alger, which has one of 17 markers in Hardin County. The program website provides background information on Ray Brown.

See The road to dedicating Alger's Ray Brown Memorial Park for background on the park project.

PROGRAM

Welcome by David Strittmatter, Associate Professor of History, ONU; Board Vice President, Hardin County Historical Museums

Star Spangled Banner by Upper Scioto Valley Schools Pep Band

Presentation of Colors by VFW Post 9381, Ada

Invocation by D. Ray Miller, Chaplain of Alger

Remarks by the Honorable Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio

Remarks by James Summa, Mayor of Alger

Reading of the Ohio Historical Marker by John Neville, Board President, Hardin County Historical Museums

Reading of the Renaming Ordinance by Paul Osborne, Alger Village Administrator

Unveiling of the Ray Brown Mural by Aubrey Davis, Artist

Ribbon Cutting by the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce

Take Me Out to the Ball Game by the USV Pep Band

Ceremonial First Pitch by Dr. Leslie Heaphy, Associate Professor of History, Kent State University-Stark and Member, 2005 Special Committee on Negro League Baseball