This uniform was presented to the Center for Negro League Baseball Research by the late Milfred “Rick” Laurent. This is the most complete Negro League uniform known to exist. It includes Laurent’s jersey, pants, cap, socks, shoes, glove and bat. This uniform was worn by Laurent when he played for the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro National League during the 1929 and 1930 seasons.

Milfred "Rick" Laurent - Memphis Red Sox

The Memphis Red Sox baseball club was one of the mainstays of Negro League baseball. Owned by two local doctors, Dr. J.B. Martin and his brother Dr. B.B. Martin, they were based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Memphis Red Sox played in the following leagues:

                           Negro National League       (1923-1925)

                           Negro Southern League      (1926)

                           Negro National League       (1927-1930) 

                           Negro Southern League      (1932)

                           Negro American League      (1937-1945)

                           Negro Southern League      (1945)

                           Negro American League      (1946-1960)

Milfred “Rick” Laurent was known as a steady versatile ball player who could do a little bit of everything. He played every position including pitcher and catcher. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Laurent played for numerous semipro teams in south Louisiana from 1918 to 1921 before signing with the New Orleans Crescent Stars of the Southern Negro League in 1921. He was a member of the 1926 Negro Southern League championship team. His Negro League career lasted from 1921 to 1937 when he played for:

                           New Orleans Crescent Stars           (1921-1922)

                           Cauldfield Ads                              (1923)

                           New Orleans Black Pelicans             (1923-1926)

                           Nashville Elite Giants                     (1927 and 1932)

                           Memphis Red Sox                          (1928-1930)

                           Birmingham Black Barons                (1929 and 1932)

                           Cleveland Cubs                            (1931-1932)

                           New Orleans Crescent Stars           (1933-1937)

After he closed out his Negro League career, he remained in his native New Orleans where he continued to play semipro baseball. In 1981, Laurent was elected into the New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.