RESOLUTION NO. 070725

Honoring Bob Motley and declaring July 1, 2007, as Bob Motley Day in Kansas City, Missouri.

WHEREAS, Bob Motley is the only living umpire from the historic Negro Baseball Leagues and celebrates the release of his memoir "Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants & Stars: Umpiring in the Negro Leagues & Beyond; and

WHEREAS, Bob Motley while serving in the Marines during World War II found his lifes passion in umpiring; and

WHEREAS, in 1948, after being honorably discharged and receiving a Purple Heart, Bob Motley began his journey umpiring in the Negro Leagues; and

WHEREAS, Bob Motley worked his way up through the ranks ultimately becoming chief umpire in the Negros Leagues and umpired games with great Black players including legends Satchel Paige, Hilton Smith, Willie Mays, Goose Tatum, Ernie Banks, Buck ONeil, Hank Aaron and the greatest Black player at that time, newly elected Hall of Famer Willard Brown; and

WHEREAS, for a career highlight, Bob Motley umpired four East-West All Star games in Chicagos Comiskey Park; and

WHEREAS, Bob Motley retired from General Motors in 1987 with 37 years of service and in addition to umpiring in the Negro and Pacific Coast Leagues, he also umpired the college World Series and officiated semi-pro, high school and college sports including basketball and football; and

WHEREAS Bob Motley lives in Kansas City, Missouri and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and is a Royal Lancer with the Kansas City Royals baseball organization; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby honor Bob Motley and declare July 1, 2007, as Bob Motley Day in Kansas City, Missouri; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Bob Motley with the admiration of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for his many years of dedication to the sport of baseball.

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