New York Black Yankees Collection

The Tribute to the Black Yankees is in celebration of Somerset’s entrance into Minor League Baseball’s “The Nine” initiative. “The Nine” is a Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.

Despite playing in uniforms that resembled the Yankees, or used uniforms from the major league Yankees, the New York Black Yankees never had a true brand identity to call their own. The Patriots have unveiled a logo designed specifically to honor the Black Yankees’ heritage that is unique to the historic team.

The logo was designed with an interlocking BY for the first time to put the emphasis on the Negro League team versus the city of New York or the Yankees brand. The logo was designed for the team by Ryan Foose, an award-winning designer who focuses on sports branding for companies that include ESPN, MiLB, NCAA and more. Foose also designed the Zorros de Somerset logo for the Patriots’ Copa de la Diversión identity.