Celebrating the 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes: Lessons from Negro League Legends


On September 19th, I had the privilege of attending Champions Reunited: A Tribute to the 1945 Negro Leagues Champion Cleveland Buckeyes and Their Legacies, hosted by the Baseball Heritage Museum at the Music Box Supper Club in Cleveland. It was an evening of remembrance, celebration, and inspiration—but one moment in particular stood out as the most impactful for me: hearing from three remarkable women, daughters of Negro Leagues greats.

Elaine Joffrion-Pope (daughter of Dave Pope), Rosilyn Stearns-Brown (daughter of Turkey Stearnes), and Lydia Teasley (daughter of Ron Teasley, one of the final two surviving players to have competed in the Negro Leagues) shared an emotional roundtable that left a lasting impression.

A Legacy of Resilience and Mindset

What struck me most was their shared perspective on their fathers’ lives. These men lived through incredibly challenging times—two World Wars, the Spanish Flu pandemic, the Great Depression, and the constant weight of racial segregation. Yet, despite all of that, they never made excuses.

They pursued excellence in baseball, carried themselves with humility, and after their playing days were over, many returned to school to earn degrees. They built lives as family men—often marrying their high school sweethearts and remaining together for 70+ years. Remarkably, they never expressed regret about not being able to play in the Major Leagues (although some did) or receive full recognition for their talents. Instead, they focused on what they could do and accomplished great things with grace and humility.

Humble Greatness

The daughters emphasized how their fathers were not only incredible ballplayers, but even more incredible men. They loved their families and God deeply, carried themselves with quiet strength, and lived in a way that continues to inspire generations.

As the women pointed out, there’s a powerful lesson for today’s youth: too often, young people focus on reasons they can’t do something. These Negro League legends modeled the opposite—showing that mindset and perseverance can overcome incredible adversity.

An Inspiring Evening

The entire evening celebrated the 1945 Cleveland Buckeyes and their championship legacy, featuring Negro League historian Phil Dixon, multimedia tributes, and a community atmosphere filled with music, food, and shared memories. But for me, the highlight will always be that roundtable of daughters speaking from the heart about their fathers.

Their words weren’t just history—they were a challenge to live with resilience, humility, faith, and love, just as their fathers had.

A huge thank you to legendary Coach Jay Murphy of Andrews Osborne and the Baseball Heritage Museum Youth Baseball Program for inviting me to be part of this unforgettable event.

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