More Than a Game

Memorial Park hosted the Kansas City Monarchs during a barnstorming tour on August 4, 1961, when the home team was the Lima Metro League’s Cairo Merchants. Legendary pitcher Leroy “Satchel” Paige 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 signed autographs for fans. Although the score of the 1961 game is forgotten, the experience of meeting Paige and other Kansas City players endured. 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.

Cairo, Ohio · United States