TALK OF GREENWOOD
Dr. Jerry Goodwin
A portrait of Jackie Robinson, the first Black to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era, overlooks ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers, from the wall of a building in the Greenwood Business District. Photo, Provided
Tulsa Drillers, the American Major League Baseball minor league team, is a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since its opening in 2010, ONEOK Field has been the Drillers’ home and is in the historic Greenwood District.
Juneteenth Celebration
The Tulsa Drillers will celebrate Juneteenth on June 15. Its 15th annual celebration of the now national holiday will be a salute to the Negro Baseball League.
Organized by Mary L. Williams of Color Me True, the program will feature Terri McConnell, an internationally renown gospel recording artist, who will sing the National Anthem. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at ONEOK Field.
Recently, the Major League Baseball organization officially added players’ statistics from the Negro Leagues to its historical records.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, “We are proud that the official historical record now includes the players of the Negro Leagues. This initiative is focused on ensuring that future generations of fans have access to the statistics and milestones of all those who made the Negro Leagues possible. Their accomplishments on the field will be a gateway to broader learning about this triumph in American history and the path that led to Jackie Robinson’s 1947 Dodger debut.”
Local Retailer Partners With Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers has partnered with SCHEELS, a sporting goods retailer scheduled to open in October, to give away tickets and gift items to a contest winner on June 29.
The Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers team is in partnership with SCHEELS by offering four premium tickets to a baseball game on June 29 to a contest winner.
The winner will also receive a YETI Tundra cooler, a $100 SCHEELS gift card, and will have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the game.
To enter the contest, visit scheels.com/press. Registration is open until June 20. Winners will be selected and notified on June 21.
SCHEELS has entered a three-year agreement with the Tulsa Drillers. In the future, the sporting goods store will be introducing new-sponsored mascots, featuring a golfer, softball player, and angler.
“We are so excited to partner with the Tulsa Drillers organization and what better way to kick off our partnership than with an awesome giveaway!” said Tulsa SCHEELS Store Leader, Pete Philippi.
“We love joining and becoming part of the local community ahead of our grand opening. Being able to partner with a community staple and share our passion for not only our community, but sports and recreation, is what we love to do!”
For more information, visit https://www.milb.com/tulsa and www.scheels.com/tulsa.