Phillies’ trip to Negro Leagues Museum in Kansas City was a special experience for players, staff

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Over the years, Andrew McCutchen has heard plenty about the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. In 2013, he even received an award from the NLBM that is presented annually to the most valuable player in each league.

Until Thursday, though, he had never gotten a chance to visit.

With the Phillies enjoying a rare day off on the road, a contingent of players and staff members toured the 10,000-square foot museum in Kansas City's jazz district that states its mission as being "dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America."

For McCutchen, one of two black players on the Phillies' active roster, it was an educational experience.

"I think it's paying homage to those guys and just knowing your roots, knowing what they did, what they went through, and why I'm able to play the game the way that I'm able to play it now," McCutchen said before the Phillies opened a three-game series against the Royals. "It was great to be able to go there."

The Phillies' visit was coordinated by Bob Kendrick, the museum's president. It's common for major-league teams that come through Kansas City to visit the museum.

Kendrick tweeted a photo of himself showing the Phillies a ball signed on one side by Negro Leagues stars Jackie Robinson, Joe Black, Roy Campanella and Junior Gilliam and on the other by Ty Cobb.

McCutchen's favorite exhibit?

“Just seeing a bunch of the firsts, the things that they were able to do,” he said. “[The Royal Giants] going over to Japan in the 1920s and introducing them to the game. Playing under the lights. Just learning little, small things that they were able to do. They’re innovators. Just playing the game they were innovators. There were a lot of greats that came out of the Negro Leagues and a lot of greats that played in the Negro Leagues, as well. It was really neat overall.”