As we mark the beginning of Black History Month 2026 (and, yes, there is still a Black History Month), it is worth assessing how every MLB team acknowledges the journey of African Americans in the game, and how the influence of Black trailblazers, players, employees, and fans has made a lasting impact on their organizations. I am also intrigued to discover which teams embrace Black History Month on their most popular social media platform in this current political climate.
The Black Baseball Mixtape (BBM)/MLB Black History Month Tracker is back for 2026!
Here are the rules: I review every MLB team’s social media accounts on X and Instagram, starting on February 1, 2026, and continuing throughout the month. I will repost every MLB club’s post acknowledging Black History Month.
I selected these social media platforms because they are the most active for MLB clubs to communicate directly with their fans and the greater baseball press corps. I understand that Facebook, TikTok and YouTube are generally more popular for consumers, especially with younger fans, but MLB clubs still use X and IG as their primary communication tools.
The 2025 BBM/MLB tracker produced a theme. Most MLB clubs posted on February 1st to acknowledge the start of the month-long celebration, which became nationally recognized in 1976 under President Gerald Ford. However, not all tweets are created equal, and these social media posts varied. For this column, I separate each team’s post into four categories:
Gold Star: Gold Stars are for the MLB clubs that go beyond the customary post. These teams honor past and current Black players, coaches, employees, fans, and the collective community of their locality.
Well Done: A prudent and attentive post that shows the club cares about the importance of Black contributions, past and present.
Minimum: A post showing the month does exist. They checked the box and want to move on.
Nothing: Self-explanatory. I don’t consider retweets a post, so if a club retweets Black History Month content from its charity/foundation account, it doesn’t count. Sorry, 2025 Red Sox.
2025 was the first year I created the BBM/MLB Black History Month Tracker. I was pleased that several MLB teams used the entire month to celebrate their heritage and history with the Black community, in the face of declining Black players, fans, and a political administration that refuses to acknowledge the accurate telling of history. Several teams used their social media to highlight heroes within the Black community, on and off the field. Twelve clubs finished the month with Gold Stars, and nine were awarded Well Done recognition. Let’s see if MLB clubs will improve on that number in 2026.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (2025 Ranking: Minimum)
On February 1, 2026, the Diamondbacks reposted MLB’s Black History Month post.
ATHLETICS (2025 Ranking: Well Done)
On February 1, 2026, the Athletics shared this post across X and IG.
ATLANTA BRAVES (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
Let me say, the Braves get it. They will be hosting “A Brave Conversation” series every Tuesday throughout the month.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES (2025 Ranking: Well Done)
On February 1, 2026, the O’s shared the following post on X. This was not posted on IG.
BOSTON RED SOX (2025 Ranking: Nothing)
CHICAGO CUBS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Cubs shared the following post on X and IG.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Sox shared the following post on X and IG.
CINCINNATI REDS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Reds shared the following post on X and IG.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Guardians shared the following post on X and IG.
COLORADO ROCKIES (2025 Ranking: Minimum)
On February 1, 2026, the Rockies shared the following post on X and IG.
DETROIT TIGERS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Tigers shared the following post on X and IG.
HOUSTON ASTROS (2025 Ranking: Well Done)
On February 1, 2026, the Astros shared the following post on X and IG.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On January 28, the Royals Foundation announced Free February at the Negro League Baseball Museum.
While this is not a direct post on the Club’s page — it’s a repost, this is exactly what honoring Black history looks like. I truly appreciate this action to educate and celebrate.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS (2025 Ranking: Well Done)
On February 1, 2026, the Angels shared the following post on X and IG.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (2025 Ranking: Minimum)
On February 1, 2026, the Dodgers shared the following post on IG and X.
MIAMI MARLINS (2025 Ranking: Minimum)
As of February 1, 2026, the Marlins have not posted about Black History Month.
MILWAUKE BREWERS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Brewers shared the following post. For the second year in a row, the Brewers are using their social media to highlight Black businesses in the MKE area. This is a great use of their platform.
MINNESOTA TWINS (2025 Ranking: Well Done)
On February 1, 2026, the Twins shared the following post on IG and X.
NEW YORK METS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Mets shared the following post on X (No IG).
NEW YORK YANKEES (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Yankees shared the following post on X (No IG).
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
To date, the Phillies have not posted about Black History Month.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Bucs shared the following post on X (No IG).
SAN DIEGO PADRES (2025 Ranking: Well Done)
On February 1, 2026, the Friars shared the following post on X (No IG).
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (2025 Ranking: Minimum)
On February 1, 2026, the Giants shared the following post on X (No IG).
SEATTLE MARINERS (2025 Ranking: Well Done)
This is not official a Black History Month statement, but on January 31, 2026, the Mariners announced “Steelheads Sundays” for the 2026 season. Every home Sunday, the Mariners will be wearing the uniforms of the 1946 Seattle Steelheads. The transition makes the Mariners the first MLB team to feature a Negro League uniform as a part of their regular uniform rotation. According to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, “It’s also paired with a significant community investment, as the club is launching the Steelheads Community Fund and committing $500,000 to support Black-led baseball and softball organizations and related community initiatives across the region.”
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Cardinals shared the following post on IG and X.
TAMPA BAY RAYS (2025 Ranking: Minimum)
On February 1, 2026, the Rays shared this post on X (No IG).
TEXAS RANGERS (2025 Ranking: Gold Star)
On February 1, 2026, the Rangers shared the following post on IG and X.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS (2025 Ranking: Nothing)
I acknowledge that Canada does not recognize February as Black History Month, so, for that, I give the Jays some grace. With that, they showed out this year with a beautiful graphic on IG and a Jays Care’s post on X.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS (2025 Ranking: Minimum)
On February 1, 2026, the Nats shared this post on X (No IG).
