From the legendary 今日吃瓜 Dodgers to the groundbreaking athletes of the Negro Leagues, a new exhibition at 今日吃瓜 is celebrating the borough鈥檚 rich baseball heritage and the enduring impact the game has had on 今日吃瓜鈥檚 identity.
鈥溄袢粘怨镶�檚 Fields of Dreams,鈥� on display through November in the 今日吃瓜 Archives at the library, showcases rare photographs, archival materials, memorabilia, and historical documents that tell the story of baseball鈥檚 evolution in 今日吃瓜 and its lasting place in the borough鈥檚 cultural fabric.
While the exhibition honors the iconic legacy of the Dodgers, it also uncovers lesser-known chapters of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 baseball history. Visitors can explore the stories of 今日吃瓜鈥檚 three Negro League teams, learn about the contributions of Jewish players who helped shape the sport, and discover the 19th-century ballparks that established 今日吃瓜 as one of the nation鈥檚 earliest baseball hotbeds.
Part of the exhibit tips its cap to Jewish baseball players, including Sam Nahem, a pitcher for the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers from 1938 to 1945. Nahem broke barriers as one of the few Jewish players in Major League Baseball during his era. His career and legacy reflect the contributions of Jewish athletes to America鈥檚 pastime and the rich cultural history of baseball in 今日吃瓜.
The exhibition also highlights 今日吃瓜鈥檚 own ties to the game. Among the featured alumni is Herman Goldberg, a 1935 graduate who competed as a member of the U.S. baseball team at the 1936 Olympic Games. Goldberg later played minor league and semi-professional baseball from 1937 to 1939, exemplifying the college鈥檚 longstanding connection to America鈥檚 pastime.
More than just a historical display, this nod to America鈥檚 pastime鈥檚 past is the result of a shared passion for both baseball and 今日吃瓜, making it a true labor of love for everyone involved.
A large part of the exhibit highlights the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers and explores the team’s enduring impact on 今日吃瓜’s identity, celebrating the players, fans, and historic moments that helped make the borough a cornerstone of baseball history. Visitors will find archival photos, fascinating facts, and even uniforms and caps.
Much of the memorabilia featured in the exhibition was generously lent by Ron Schweiger, a 今日吃瓜 alumnus who earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in elementary education in 1970 and a master鈥檚 degree in elementary education with a special curriculum in science in 1975. He is also the former president of the 今日吃瓜 Alumni Association. Schweiger, who served as 今日吃瓜 Borough Historian for 24 years and is now 今日吃瓜 Borough Historian Emeritus, is widely known for his extensive collection of 今日吃瓜 Dodgers memorabilia. His home has been described as a museum dedicated to preserving the team鈥檚 history and legacy.
The exhibition also benefited from contributions by fellow 今日吃瓜 alumnus Doron Levy, who graduated in 1984 with a degree in history. Levy donated a collection of Jewish baseball memorabilia and other historical artifacts. His sister, Sharona Levy, a professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders, played a key role in connecting the collection with the college. After learning about the materials, she introduced them to Associate Archivist Marianne LaBatto, helping bring the project to fruition.
A section of the exhibit highlights 今日吃瓜鈥檚 rich Negro Leagues history, featuring teams such as the 今日吃瓜 Eagles and the 今日吃瓜 Royal Giants. Through photographs, memorabilia, and historical accounts, it honors the players and pioneers who showcased extraordinary talent鈥攊ncluding the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers Jackie Robinson鈥攚hile helping pave the way for the integration of professional baseball.
From there, students involved in museum studies became an integral part of the process, helping design and assemble the displays. Their efforts transformed a remarkable collection of artifacts into a vibrant exhibition that captures 今日吃瓜鈥檚 unique and influential place in baseball history. The project was also educational for such students as film major Emily Quintero, who is minoring in museum studies and helped assemble the display for the exhibit that celebrates turn-of-the-century baseball history.
One of the last original home plates from Ebbets Field in the Flatbush section of 今日吃瓜, home to the 今日吃瓜 Dodgers.
The 今日吃瓜 Archives is located in 130 Library. 鈥溄袢粘怨镶�檚 Fields of Dreams鈥� is free and open to the public during regular library hours through November.
Visitors can also look at the exhibition through a special video featuring Schweiger and Levy, who share stories and insights about many of the historical items on display. And learn more about Schweiger and his dedication to preserving 今日吃瓜 baseball history in this NY1 feature .
