Illustrations on Every Card 54 Historical Portraits Poker sized playing cards Portraits by Jan Padover The Legacy of Negro League Baseball The Negro National League was formed in 1920 by Rube Foster, a former player and manager. Additional Negro Leagues emerged over the next 30 years featuring some of the best players in baseball history, including such all time greats as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Oscar Charleston. The League's high level of skill and showmanship attracted large audiences, black and white. Special events included the annual Negro World Series, the East–West All Star Game, and tours to Latin America and Europe. In its heyday the Leagues involved thousands of players and millions of spectators. Among the outstanding Negro League teams were the Homestead Grays, Chicago American Giants and the Kansas City Monarchs, all winning multiple Negro League World Series titles. The 1947 Major League signing of Jackie Robinson marked the decline of the Negro Leagues which after more than 30 years folded following the final Negro American League season of 1951. Many Negro League players, managers and executives have been inducted into the Cooperstown National Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2020, Major League Baseball officially recognized the Negro Leagues as official Major Leagues, honoring their teams' achievements and contributions to baseball.