Arlington, Texas – In the second consecutive year of the HBCU Swingman Classic at Globe Life Field during the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game festivities, the American League beat the National League 5-4 in the heart of Northern Texas.
The HBCU Swingman Classic highlighted the legacy of HBCU baseball programs and provided 50 players the opportunity to showcase their talent on an MLB All-Star stage. All players came from 16 Division I HBCUs from the South Western Athletic Conference. The rosters were selected by a committee that included Ken Griffey Sr. with the AL and former Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates manager Llyod McClendon for the NL.
All of the players that were selected from the following Division-I HBCUs schools were from Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Alcorn State University, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Bethune Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Grambling State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University and Texas Southern University.
The MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation organized the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic.
Dallas native and American Gospel Singer Kirk Franklin sang the United States national anthem and Lift Every Voice before the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic.
Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of Negro League legend Josh Gibson threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Friday night.
Last year’s inaugural HBCU MVP NL second baseman Randy Flores led the game off in the top of the first inning with a single to right center field.
A few moments later, third baseman Cameron Bufford swung at a dropped third strike that went behind catcher Jamal George near the backstop, with Flores scoring from third base to plate the game’s first run.
In the bottom of the third inning, AL shortstop Robert Tate Jr. led off with a triple down the right field line to threaten their first run of the game.
Shortly after, center fielder Ty Jackson drove a double down the left field line, scoring Tate to tie the game up at 1-1.
During the bottom of the fifth inning, the AL grabbed their first lead of the night with left fielder Tiger Borom ripping a two-run single to center field, scoring shortstop Jamal George and catcher Manny Jackson to grab a 3-1 lead. Borom advanced to second base on center fielder Brycen Hammonds throw to the plate.
A few batters later, second baseman KJ White lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Borom to extend the lead to 4-1.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, George rocked a double to left center field, scoring designated hitter Edwin DeLaCruz to extend the lead to 5-1.
The AL did not lose hope of closing in on the win on Friday night, even with the NL cutting the lead to one run in the top of the ninth inning in Northern Texas and with the support of the HBCU faithful in attendance, who were behind all the young athletes.
“I think it’s a great way to showcase our skills in front of scouts, and that you can play baseball at the next level,” Bufford told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com on Friday night.
Next year, with the All-Star Game heading to Atlanta, a lot will be drawn for fans to witness the future of MLB talent play in the 2025 HBCU Swingman Classic.
Borom was named MVP for the 2024 HBCU Swingman Classic on Friday night after driving in the two-run single in the bottom of the fifth and batting ninth.
