Donation culminates another successful ‘Homers for History’ campaign
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Another season-long effort has come to fruition for Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of Kansas City, the American Association Kansas City Monarchs, and the Negro Leagues
Baseball Museum.
Blue KC is donating $8,000 to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as part of the ‘Homers for
History’ campaign.
For every home run the Monarchs hit during the 2025 season, Blue KC donated $50. The Monarchs
hit 108 home runs this season compared to the 88 home runs they hit in 2024. Blue KC has chosen
to round up their donation this year.
The funds will go toward the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum’s “Pitch for the Future” capital
campaign, raising money to build the nation’s only Negro Leagues campus. The project will include
the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center and a brand-new, state-of-the-art museum.
“Thanks to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and the Kansas City Monarchs for ‘knocking it
out of the park,’ with this fun promotion,” said Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball
Museum. “The financial support and awareness generated through this collaboration is incredibly
valuable in our efforts to preserve and celebrate the rich history of the Negro Leagues.”
This marks the second year of the campaign in collaboration with Blue KC, the Negro Leagues
Baseball Museum, and the Kansas City Monarchs.
“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is excited to support the world’s only national museum
dedicated to celebrating the history of African American baseball,” said Jenny Housley, Blue KC
Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “We love being a part of our Kansas City
community and preserving an iconic building through this ‘Homers for History’ campaign.”
The Monarchs finished their season strong, earning their spot in the Miles Wolff Cup Playoffs. They
fell short in the first round against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.
“We at the Monarchs are thrilled to help facilitate this great effort,” Monarchs owner Mark Brandmeyer
said. “Our batters had another outstanding year, and it’s heartwarming to know that every one of our
homers helped support the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and their Pitch for the Future
campaign.”
The 2025 American Association Monarchs season officially ended on September 6th. Their new
season will begin in May 2026.
About the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum:
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving
and celebrating the rich history of African American baseball and its impact on the social
advancement of America. The privately funded, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization was established
in 1990 and is in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri’s Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District. The NLBM
operates two blocks from the Paseo YMCA where Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro
National League in 1920.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, the largest not-for-profit health insurer in Missouri and the
only not-for-profit commercial health insurer in Kansas City, has been part of the Kansas City
community since 1938. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City provide health coverage services
to more than one million residents in the greater Kansas City area, including Johnson and Wyandotte
counties in Kansas and 30 counties in Northwest Missouri. Their mission: to provide affordable
access to healthcare and to improve the health of their members. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more
information on the company, visit its website at BlueKC.com
About the Kansas City Monarchs:
The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB
Partner League. 2026 will be their 23rd season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the
team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones
to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.
MEDIA CONTACT: Morgan Kolenda, mkolenda@Monarchsbaseball.com 913-328-5641