Cairo in Allen County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
More Than a Game
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, August 9, 2023
1. More Than a Game Marker
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More Than a Game. . Memorial Park hosted the famous Kansas City Monarchs during a barnstorming tour on August 4, 1961. The home team was the Lima Metro League’s Cairo Merchants. Legendary pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige (1906-1982) appeared on the mound for the Monarchs. The first African American to pitch a World Series, Paige was famous for helping the Cleveland Indians win their 1948 championship. After the Cairo exhibition game, he thrilled fans by signing autographs. Although the score of the 1961 game is forgotten, the impact of meeting Paige and other Kansas City players is remembered. During an era of racial tension and national change, a baseball game between an all-Black and all-White team taught many in attendance that they had much in common, including a love of the game.
Memorial Park hosted the famous Kansas City Monarchs during a barnstorming tour on August 4, 1961. The home team was the Lima Metro League’s Cairo Merchants. Legendary pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige (1906-1982) appeared on the mound for the Monarchs. The first African American to pitch a World Series, Paige was famous for helping the Cleveland Indians win their 1948 championship. After the Cairo exhibition game, he thrilled fans by signing autographs. Although the score of the 1961 game is forgotten, the impact of meeting Paige and other Kansas City players is remembered. During an era of racial tension and national change, a baseball game between an all-Black and all-White team taught many in attendance that they had much in common, including a love of the game.
Erected 2022 by Village of Cairo, Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 8-2.)
Location. 40° 49.921′ N, 84° 4.98′ W. Marker is in Cairo, Ohio, in Allen County. Marker is at the intersection of Lincoln
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Highway (U.S. 30) and George Street, on the right when traveling west on Lincoln Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 West Main Street, Cairo OH 45820, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2023, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 9, 2023, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
