HBCU Swingman Classic 2024: American League Triumphs in Thrilling Finish
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The second annual HBCU Swingman Classic, presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, showcased the brightest HBCU baseball all-stars. The American League team emerged victorious with a 5-4 win, halting a ninth-inning rally from the National League.
"This means a lot... I'm just trying to get these guys to be seen."@Baseball_YDF Ambassador Ken Griffey Jr. talks about leading the cause and the importance of tonight's HBCU Swingman Classic.@TMobile | @SieraSantos | @Dempster46 pic.twitter.com/lXU9Z99k4W
— Intentional Talk (@IntentionalTalk) July 12, 2024
Ken Griffey Jr.'s annual event invited 50 HBCU baseball players from SWAC, MEAC, CAA, and CIAA
to display their talents to professional scouts and decision-makers, aiming to boost their careers.
That MVP Moment 😎💥 @TigerBorom of @GramSt_Bsb with the two-run double to give the American League the lead and win at the #HBCUSwingmanClassic ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZpyWhLljvU
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) July 13, 2024
Griffey emphasized the broader opportunities with baseball: "A lot of kids are not going to be drafted, but you can still be in the sport that you love," There are plenty of jobs in Major League Baseball that you can do. You may not be able to play, but you can be around and you can eventually work your way up and be a GM or a president or anything. I think the problem we have in sports is everybody looks at it and goes, 'Oh, if you don't make it, you're done.' That's not the case."
And that’s a wrap on a successful HBCU Swingman Classic in Texas!
— Black Play-by-Play Fund (@BlackPxPFund) July 13, 2024
@MLB and @MLBNetwork continue to outdo themselves in all areas of supporting us and our mission pic.twitter.com/siEE07OyfD
The event also featured HBCU baseball legends who worked out with the all-star players, providing invaluable mentorship and guidance.
The American League takes the W at the HBCU Swingman Classic and celebrates ... with backflips! pic.twitter.com/zAyB2wAHoy
— MLB (@MLB) July 13, 2024
AMERICAN LEAGUE ROSTER
- Edwin DeLaCruz - UAPB
- Jamal George - Alabama State
- Manny Jackson - Norfolk State
- Juan Cruz - Alabama State
- Lenny Montesano - Jackson State
- Kyle Walker - Grambling State
- Robert Tate Jr. - Jackson State
- True Fontenot - Florida A&M
- KJ White - Southern
- Justin Journette - Norfolk State
- Ty Jackson - Florida A&M
- Michael Smith - Praire View A&M
- Tiger Borom - Grambling State
- Michael Burroughs - Prairie View A&M
- Joseph Eichelberger - Jackson State
- Janmikell Bastardo - Florida A&M
- Sam Nieves - Coppin State
- Jafet Martinez - Alabama State
- Tanner Boccabello - Bethune-Cookman
- Mason Martinez - Grambling State
- Coley Kilpatrick - North Carolina A&T
- Christian Womble - Jackson State
- Tristan Curless - Alabama A&M
- Renard Grace - Southern
- Kieran Etwaru - Delaware State
An amazing @kirkfranklin HBCU Swingman Classic debut 🥹🎶🇺🇸⚾️ pic.twitter.com/4Kx1hitq2s
— MLBDevelops (@MLBDevelops) July 13, 2024
NATIONAL LEAGUE ROSTER
- Michael Goudeau - Texas Southern
- Canyon Brown - North Carolina A&T
- Irvin Escobar - Bethune-Cookman
- Tatsunori Negishi - North Carolina A&T
- Dreylin Holmes - Mississippi Valley State
- Randy Flores - Alabama State
- CJ Castillo - Texas Southern
- Garrett Palladino - Alcorn State
- Jose Vargas - Grambling State
- Cameron Bufford - Grambling State
- Tyeler Hawkins - Southern
- Ali LaPread - Alabama State
- Rodney Hibler Jr. - Jackson State
- Khyle Radcliffe - Southern
- Brycen Hammonds - Alabama A&M
- Jamal Ritter - Norfolk State
- Tre Williams - North Carolina A&T
- Pablo Torres - Bethune-Cookman
- Caleb Granger - Florida A&M
- Evan Bouldin - Delaware State
- Luis Rodriguez - Alabama State
- Domenic Martinez - Texas Southern
- Christian Davis - Southern
- Daniel Gaviria - Bethune-Cookman
- Isaiah Williams - Jackson State