Written By Mrs. Lory Edwards
South Florida has lost a Historian and Baseball enthusiast in the person of Danny Phillips. Phillips passed away on November 7, 2024, after a brief illness. Phillips was the Founder and Director of More Than a Game, Inc., a Non-profit organization based in Fort Lauderdale FL. Phillips started More Than a Game alongside fellow Baseball enthusiast Eddie Edwards Jr. in 2004. The organization educated the Community both young and old on the era of Negro League Baseball when Blacks weren’t allowed to play in the Major Leagues due to segregation.
Under the guidance of Phillips, the More Than a Game organization put on numerous events with the African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Ft. Lauderdale, worked with Old Dillard Museum, several city and county agencies, private collectors and Florida Atlantic University to bring memorabilia to the masses.
With the help of the City of Fort Lauderdale Parks & Recreation, More Than a Game, Inc. was able to revitalize the youth baseball program at Carter Park, which had over 125 boys and girls participating in little league baseball teams.
“Danny was a staunch advocate for the history of the Negro Leagues and getting youth interested in baseball”, said Eddie Edwards Jr., vice-president of More Than a Game, Inc. “We were able to sponsor more than 500 youth to Florida Marlins baseball games,” he added
Phillips once said of the Negro League ball players that, “They were entrepreneurs. They had to build and make a living doing this. That shows the ingenuity they had even through adversity.” Phillips himself had coached and played for several Minor League teams.
Johnetta Lanier, Broward County educator and Administrative Personnel for More Than A Game Inc, stated, “Danny Phillips was passionate about baseball and the contributions negro players made to the game. He believed strongly in preserving the history of Negro baseball players. Danny would often say that More Than A game Inc. is committed to sharing ‘The Real Story’.”
