LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the formation of the Cuban Giants,
the first professional black baseball team, on April 18, 2010

WHEREAS, It is with noble admiration and pride that this Legislative
Body joyfully pays just recognition to those respected athletes whose
bravery, skill and quiescent dignity brought extraordinary humanity to
both the game of baseball and society, contributing to the integration
of that sport; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the formation of the Cuban Giants, the first professional black
baseball team in the Nation, which called Babylon Village, New York, its
home; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, April 18, 2010, the Babylon Village Historical and
Preservation Society is holding a ceremony to recognize the Cuban
Giants, one of the most important and significant baseball teams in
history; a plaque will be placed in their honor on the grounds where the
team first played at the Argyle Hotel in 1885; and
WHEREAS, The Argyle Hotel once stood at the northwest corner of Argyle
Lake, Babylon, and it was here that Frank P. Thompson worked as head-
waiter and realized the interest local folks and resort-goers had in
baseball; and
WHEREAS, Assisted with financial backers, Frank P. Thompson recruited
players from amateur teams based on their talent and ability and organ-
ized the first professional black baseball team, the Cuban Giants; and
WHEREAS, By the fall of 1885, the club roster was filled, games were
scheduled and just as Frank P. Thompson hoped, the Cuban Giants quickly
established themselves by winning almost all of their reported games,
mainly against either all black or mixed-race clubs; and
WHEREAS, In the fall, the Cuban Giants embarked on a road trip in the
northeast, peppering their schedule with games against white major leag-
uers when they took on the New York Metropolitans and the Philadelphia
Athletics of the American Association; they lost both games in close
battles and the American Association was considered a stronger league
than the newly formed National League; and
WHEREAS, Undeterred, the Cuban Giants ended the tour victorious over
white Bridgeport club, a team that would win the Eastern League Champi-
onship that year; that winter they headed south to a warmer climate,
playing baseball along the way; and
WHEREAS, In 1886, Frank P. Thompson sold the team to Walter I. Cook, a
successful businessman; under his esteemed leadership, the team enjoyed
great achievement not only on the field but also off the field with an
owner who elevated the dignity of the black athlete with not only decent
salaries but benefits for those who suffered an illness or injury, some-
thing that was unheard of at that time; and
WHEREAS, In 1887, the team was purchased by J.M. Bright and it joined
the Middle States League in 1889; six years later, the Cuban Giants were
purchased by E.B. Lamar, Jr., who renamed them the Cuban-X Giants; for
the next decade, they were one of the top black baseball teams in the
country; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
events and individuals of historical significance who have contributed
to the richness and ethnic diversity of the history of New York State
and our Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the formation of the Cuban Giants, the first professional
black baseball team; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Babylon Village Historical and Preservation Society.