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For the first time ever, the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame presented a Historic Recognition Award at this year’s induction ceremony.
That honor went to the New York Cuban Giants, the country’s first all-black professional baseball team, which was founded at the Argyle Hotel in Babylon in 1885.
“I took over the Hall of Fame two years ago and one of my edicts to the committee and the board was to make sure we honor the history that predates all of us,” said Chris Vaccaro, executive director of the Hall of Fame.
Instead of presenting the plaque at the awards ceremony at Watermill Caterers in Smithtown last month, Vaccaro felt it was more fitting to host a special ceremony in Babylon Village, the home of the team.
“I think it is really special to present the plaque here in the village at the site of where these games were played by these legends,” Vaccaro told GreaterBabylon.
On Friday, June 7, the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame honored the Cuban Giants with a presentation at Argyle Lake with Babylon Village Mayor Ralph Scordino and Babylon Village historian Jackie Marsden in attendance.
“Any time we can promote history I think it is very, very important,” said Scordino following the ceremony. “Baseball being a national pastime, it is fantastic to have something like this be a part of our village history.”
To learn more about the New York Cuban Giants click here, and to see more coverage from the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame award ceremony click here.
Courtesy photos below
