Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, the Providence City Council held an afternoon meeting that focused on honoring local history and community leaders through three resolutions. All three resolutions were discussed and unanimously approved by voice vote. The meeting also included personal testimonies and historical reflections from council members and invited guests.
The resolution recognized the Providence Grays, a National League team from 1878–1885, including their 1884 championship (considered the first World Series), the triple crown of Paul Hines, John Montgomery Ward's perfect game, and William Edward White's likely first appearance by a Black player in Major League Baseball. The resolution requested the Department of Public Works to design, fabricate and install commemorative flags on Messer Street between Hudson and Willow Streets. During discussion, an amendment changed the geographic description from "Providence's West Side" to "Providence's West End." Council President Rachel Moore, who sponsored the resolution, credited Jackie of the Zucolo Center for helping draft the text and highlighted the team's connections to Babe Ruth and local youth baseball. Several council members shared memories of local baseball figures and emphasized the importance of preserving athletic history. The amendment and the resolution were both approved unanimously on voice votes.
The resolution recognized the nearly century-long public service of Reverend I. Naomi Craig (1917–2012), including her work in education, civil rights, public health outreach, and as pastor of Sheldon Street Church. It requested that the intersection of Hope Street and John Street in the Fox Point neighborhood be designated as Reverend I. Naomi Craig Memorial Square. David Craig, her son, delivered an extended oral testimony recalling his mother's meetings with Rosa Parks, Johnnie Cochran, and President Barack Obama, her role in crisis mediation, and her scholarship program for middle school students. Council members praised her quiet but powerful speaking style and influence. The resolution was approved unanimously by voice vote.
A brief resolution honoring the late Robert C. "Bob" Clarkin, who served on the City Council in the 1960s and worked on pension issues for Providence firefighters. The sponsoring council member noted that Clarkin's family still lives in the neighborhood and that his service had been underrecognized. The resolution was approved unanimously by voice vote without further discussion.
Okay. Afternoon, everyone. Welcome to community updating on urban development renewable plan. Today is Thursday, October the eighth, twenty twenty six. So naughty. Welcome. And we have some great stuff on the docket today. Madam Claire, could you please read the first item? Item number one resolution honoring the Providence Grays historic baseball legacy. Okay. So we have why don't we read the resolution first? Why don't we do that and just all of us get the MT help that? Whereas the Providence Grays represented the city in the National League from 1878 through 1885, playing their home games at Messer Street grounds on Providence's West Side. And whereas the Grays won National League pennants in 1879 and 1884 and capped their 1884 season with a three-game sweep of the New York Metropolitans of the American Association on October 25th, 1884, in baseball's first ever interleague postseason championship series, often referred to as the first World Series. And whereas Charles Old Haas Radborn led the championship team, winning approximately 60 regular season games and pitching all three victories in the championship series. And whereas Paul Hines played for the Grays throughout their eight National League seasons and in 1878 became the first hitter to achieve baseball's triple crown by leading the league in batting average home runs and runs batted in. And whereas John Montgomery, John Montgomery Ward pitched the perfect game for Providence on June 17, 1880, and later helped establish the brother the Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players in 1885, the first major league players union. And whereas William Edward White played for the Grays on June 21, 1879, an appearance that the Society for American Baseball Research identifies as possibly the first by a black player in the Major League Baseball. And whereas the Major League team disbanded in 1885, while the Providence Grays Minor League team formed in 1886 and again in 1899, continuing to play at the Messer Street Grounds and then at Melrose Park in South Providence and Kinsley Park in the Valley neighborhood. And whereas George Herman Babe Ruth pitched for the Providence Grays in 1914, winning eight out of nine games played with the team and helping the team achieve the 1914 International League champion before debuting with the Red Sox later that year. And whereas the Providence Grays Historic Baseball Club, founded in 1998, shares and celebrates Providence's baseball history by recreating the 19th century game using period rules and customs. And whereas each year, Providence Youth Baseball Little League teams engage hundreds of young people with the support of dedicated parents and community leaders, engendering in young players a love for the game of baseball and an understanding of the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship, both on and off the ball field. And whereas public commemoration of the Grays would preserve an important chapter of Providence's history, helps residents and visitors learn about the city's contributions to professional baseball and inspire young players by celebrating our place in history. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the city that the Providence City Council honors the Providence Grays and respectfully requests the Department of Public Works coordinate design fabrication installation and maintenance of one or more commemorative flags at the prominent and appropriate public locations on Messer Street between Hudson and Willow Streets, recognizing the team's 1884 championship, notable players, and contributions to baseball history. Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Department of Public Works for their consideration and implementation. Thank you. Um Council President, I'm the sponsor of this. I am this. And tell us why you brought this tonight. The reason why I brought this to us tonight is sitting to my left. So uh many folks, I think everyone knows Jackie, who runs Zuklo and has been a force of nature in for good in the Private Trek Department. Um Jackie pointed out this was not the first time you said this about hey, there used to be a baseball field on your street. Did you know that? But we got serious about it this fall. Um, and Jackie helped write this resolution, uh, which was a good team effort, and with your permission, I'd love to hang over. You got anything to add? Yeah. I mean, it's a piece of not only athletic history, but it's certainly a piece of Providence history, where amazingly that a major league team played it literally, so I live one street over from Rachel. So it literally they literally played in our backyard. And although unfortunately we didn't get to witness this in 1884, it's an amazing history.