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Knoxville News Sentinel

Knoxville News Sentinel

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Statues at Smokies Stadium are permanent symbol of Black baseball's history in Knoxville

Knoxville News Sentinel
Summary
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Statues at Smokies Stadium are permanent symbol of Black baseball's history in Knoxville .

Statues unveiled April 8 at Covenant Health Park pay homage to Black baseball.

Monumental Black figures in the history of baseball have been cast as statues at the entrances to the stadium.

The statues were created by sculptor Brian Hanlon of Hanlon Sculpture Studio in New Jersey .

By May 1953 , Jim Tugerson was the winningest pitcher in the league.

The Smokies were Knoxville 's first Black Little League baseball team.

Children initially played league games at the Payne Avenue Recreation Center , now gone, and later at the Cal Johnson Recreation Center .