Roush-Lopez Tampa Bay Chapter meeting recap – 4/23/2025
SABR’s Roush – Lopez Tampa Bay Chapter held a virtual meeting on April 23, 2025. Our guest speaker was Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
Chairman Mark Drucker called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Attendees:
- Mark Drucker, Chairman
- Sam Dolson, Vice Chair
- Bobby Salerno, Treasurer
- Ken Clawson, Secretary
- Jim Bard
- Mike O’Hare
- Sam Zygner
- Barry Halpern
- Josh Weaver
- Arnaldo Rincon
- Levi Fender
- Steve Nadel
- Barb Zygner
Meeting Notes:
Mark Drucker introduced Bob Kendrick, who led off with the observation that he has never heard a word of ill will from the Negro Leagues players about the conditions they had to endure. He spoke about the great friendship he had with Buck O’Neil and especially the heartbreak of Buck not gaining entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bob spoke of the “Field of Legends” at the museum and introduced the players featured on the field. He told the Satchel Paige/Whitey Herzog story about throwing a baseball through a knothole in the outfield fence.
During the Q & A session Bob spoke of the popularity of MLB The Show Negro Leagues Edition video game being popular and as well as an outreach to educate the younger generations on the Negro Leagues.
Bob gave the chapter a little over one hour of his time.
A chapter discussion then took place about various topics:
- How to attract new members including more women and minorities
- How to increase involvement with the Tampa Baseball Museum (Al Lopez House)
- Showed the proofs of the items going to print from the grant award
Mark Drucker adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m.