Prior to tomorrow’s (May 21) 7:05pm scheduled start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Marlins will recognize more than 35 members of the groups in an on-field ceremony, which will be emceed by 99 JAMZ on-air personality James T. A representative from each of the groups will simultaneously throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch and the Marlins Community Foundation will make a donation to the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Mo. The Salute to Black Legends will continue during the game with video documentaries during select inning breaks.

Each of these groups played instrumental roles during difficult times in the first half of the 20th Century. The Buffalo Soldiers were the first African-Americans in U.S. history to serve in the peacetime army. The soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were the first to be called Buffalo Soldiers, and their ranks included sixteen Medal of Honor recipients. The Tuskegee Airmen were trained during World War II near the town of Tuskegee, Ala. A group of 450 of the pilots completed 1,578 missions with the 12th Tactical and 15th Strategic U.S. Army Air Force over North Africa, Sicily and Europe during World War II and not one U.S. plane was downed under their escort.

The nearly 1,000 soldiers in the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the Triple Nickel, were formed in 1943 as the Army’s only African-American airborne unit. They later become the first African-American unit to be integrated into the U.S. Armed Forces when its members were redesignated as the 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division on December 13, 1947. William Morris, America’s first black enlisted paratrooper, will be among six former members of the Triple Nickel in attendance.

Over 20 former Negro League Baseball players are also scheduled to be on hand tomorrow night.

"To our knowledge, this is the first time so many representatives from these distinguished groups have been assembled at one time," said Ben Creed, the Marlins Director of Marketing Partnerships. "Our goal is both to recognize members of these groups for their accomplishments and educate the general public of their profound contributions to American History. Many people do not realize the significant roles each group has played in the history of this country."

"This unique concept of giving long overdue recognition and honor to black living legends of American history is truly a first of its kind in professional sports," said Bob Mitchell, Sr., a former member of the Kansas City Monarchs and the current National Coordinator of Negro League Baseball Players. "We are most appreciative that the Florida Marlins are leading the way to a meaningful recognition of these important groups."

In an effort to educate young people in South Florida as to the significance of the groups’ accomplishments, representatives from each of the groups will appear on 99 JAMZ and visit with students at schools in both Miami- Dade and Broward County on Friday. More than 200 Little Leaguers from local Boys Clubs and Optimist Clubs will also be on the field during the pre-game ceremony and will be treated to a night at the ballpark. In addition, members of the groups will be appearing at the Bud-Fans Friday Night Happy Hour at the Gate H Corner Bar at Pro Player Stadium between 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.