City Of Kansas City: City Announces Winning Proposal To Redevelop A Baseball Legend's Historic Home

Press release from the City of Kansas City:

08/08/2021 2:00 PM

NEWS RELEASE Call it the perfect pitch. The City is announcing the winning proposal to redevelop the former home of a Negro Leagues and Major League Baseball pitching legend, Leroy Satchel Paige. City leaders, project representatives and members of the Paige family on Monday will discuss the future of this historic community asset at a media event where Satchel Paige’s National Baseball Hall of Fame plaque will also be displayed: When: Monday, Aug. 9 at 9 a.m.
Where: 2626 E. 28th St. (site of former Paige home)
*MASKS REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTENDEES* The local group Pitch Perfect KC is leading redevelopment efforts, which includes a partnership with the Kansas City Royals. Through coordination with the neighborhood, members of the Paige family, and other stakeholders, a vision is being crafted that will make this a community asset for many years to come. This effort will include capturing past stories of Satchel Paige from people across the nation. “The full story of Leroy Satchel Paige’s life is filled with lessons for all of us. From very humble beginnings to his legendary successes as an athlete, entrepreneur, family man, and a friend in need, the longtime home of this 20th century icon will now serve as a place to share his true impact and hopefully continue to inspire future generations,” said Vincent Paul Gauthier, Managing Developer for Pitch Perfect KC. The former Paige family home, located at 2626 E. 28th St. in the Santa Fe Neighborhood, was heavily damaged by fire in 2018. To protect and preserve it from future calamity, the Kansas City Missouri Homesteading Authority (KCMHA) purchased the home in 2019. A $150,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, through local partner Historic KC, funded repair and stabilization of the structure. Satchel Paige bought the home in 1950 and lived there until 1982, just before his death. Welcomed by a large masonry porch highlighted by three white arches, the three-story home was built in 1910.

“This historic space is such an important part of Kansas City and the Santa Fe Neighborhood. We were honored to accept the grant from the National Trust and work with so many other important partners to make this redevelopment effort possible,” said City Manager Brian Platt. The KCMHA selected the winning redevelopment proposal after recommendations from Historic Kansas City, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Santa Fe Area Council. Paige made his debut with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1935 playing one season, and then returned for seven years from 1940-47, winning the Negro Leagues World Series in 1942. During his 1948 season with the Cleveland Indians, Paige became the first African American to pitch in the MLB World Series. Fifty years ago tomorrow, in August 9, 1971, Paige became the first electee of the Committee on Negro Baseball Leagues to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. For more information or media inquiries, please contact Maggie Green, Media Relations Manager, at 816-513-2612.

This press release was produced by the City of Kansas City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.