Last month Major League Baseball and the Baseball AssistanceTeam set up a new pension fund to pay former Negro League playersmore than $1 million.
Sen. Bob Nelson of Florida and other former players lobbiedMajor League Baseball for several years to get the pensions for thenow elderly players, many of whom are in financial need.
Twenty-seven players who played in the league for at least fouryears prior to 1958 will receive the money, Major League BaseballCommissioner Allan H. “Bud” Selig said in a statement.
Players will have their choice of either $833.33 per month forfour years or $375 a month for life.
The pension fund will be the second of its kind.
In 1997, Major League Baseball created a program to benefitplayers who played before 1948.
The original pension fund was helpful to many players, but manythat played in the Negro league after Jackie Robinson broke thecolor barrier were left out.
Ray Doswell, curator for the Negro League Baseball Museum, saidit is good to see Major League Baseball help the players.
“We’re happy for the players,” Doswell said. “Some people are inreal need.”
Juan Armenteros played for the Kansas City Monarchs and foughtto receive a pension for himself and others until his death earlierthis year.
Armenteros’ daughter, Jaquline Wilson, said he would havereceived the money from the pension fund, but died before MajorLeague Baseball organized the fund.
“The money would have really helped,” Wilson said.
She also said Armenteros’ family could benefit from the money,but widows are not eligible.
Unfortunately it is too late for many of the players and theirfamilies, Wilson said.
Doswell said he has just under 200 players still alive on themuseum’s mailing list.
“A lot of the players are near the very end,” Doswell said.