The older pastor, wearing a long purple robe, ascended the steps to the pulpit. “God has always had a plan and a purpose for each of our lives,” the Rev. In his dark, silent study down the hall at Bethel Baptist, on a shelf stuffed with old theological books, is a photograph of the 1948 pennant celebration of the Birmingham Black Barons of baseball’s Negro leagues. Greason, 98, is one of baseball’s “forgotten heroes,” according to the Center for Negro League Baseball Research. Seventy-five years ago, he shut down the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro American League’s championship series and then earned the Black Barons’ only win in the final Negro World Series, which the Black Barons lost to the Homestead Grays.

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Persons: William H, Greason, ’, Long, “, Barons ’ Organizations: Bethel Baptist Church, Bethel Baptist, Birmingham Black Barons, baseball’s Negro, Center for Negro League Baseball Research, Kansas City Monarchs, Negro American, Barons, Black Barons, Grays Locations: Birmingham, Ala, Bethel, baseball’s