Ricky Rodgers, director of the African American Men of Unity group, joined dozens of others Friday night in Aurora welcoming a baseball icon who was visiting the city. “This is the start of Black History Month and I’ve come to meet the man who beat the man who beat the man, so that’s my reason for being present today, and, of course, to pay homage,” Rodgers said during a meet-and-greet event with former Negro League baseball player Dennis Biddle hosted by the city of Aurora. Biddle earned the nickname of “The Man Who Beat The Man Who Beat The Man” for beating Gerald “Lefty” McKinnis, who in his career beat the legendary Satchel Paige, city officials said. “This is an important part of Black History Month and for Blacks in general. It’s important that our stories be told,” Rodgers said. The two-hour event at the Aurora Public Art Gallery at 20 E. Downer Place was hosted by the city in partnership with Aurora Public Art; Ald. Will White, at-large; Ald. Edward J. Bugg, 9th Ward; and Community Advocacy Awareness Network Director Mary Fultz. Beyond talking to fans, the 90-year-old Biddle also showcased his traveling Negro League Baseball Museum at the event. Biddle was presented with an official proclamation from the city to honor his contributions to the game of baseball and to his efforts in educating the country about the Negro Leagues, officials said. The proclamation declared his birthday – June 24 – as Dennis Biddle Day in Aurora. Biddle, who was born in 1935, graduated from high school at the age of 17 and then joined the Chicago American Giants of the Negro Leagues as a pitcher and finished his rookie season with a record of 15-3, according to a news release from the city. Biddle pitched one more year in the Negro Leagues before being asked by the Chicago Cubs to try out, but on the first day of spring training, he broke his leg while sliding into third base, ending his baseball career, city officials said. Visitors look at displays focused on Negro League baseball players during an event in Aurora on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, honoring Black History Month. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News) Jon Zaghloul, communications manager for the city of Aurora, said Biddle, who currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been traveling for some time with his Negro League Baseball Museum “to help people understand the significance of the Negro Leagues, the history of it, and what it means in today’s context.” Zaghloul called Biddle’s appearance “an amazing event to honor Black history right here in Aurora.” Biddle visited with fans and posed for photos at the event. He said he is “truly honored” to be able to travel around the country talking about the history of Negro Leagues baseball. “Anytime I can go – I am a part of history – part of a history a lot of people don’t even know about and I’m a part of that,” he said. “I’m 90 years old and the Lord has blessed me to live this long and it’s what I’ve done. “I don’t think about myself as being important,” he said. “I was just a part of history and a lot of it wasn’t even reported. I’m grateful for having the opportunity to share some of my history with all the young people.” Fans check out memorabilia Friday night, Feb. 6, 2026, at the Aurora Public Art Gallery in downtown Aurora during a meet-and-greet event featuring former Negro League baseball player Dennis Biddle. (David Sharos/For The Beacon-News) Michael Harden of Aurora, who operates a local business, noted as a graduate of East Aurora High School and Aurora University, “I’ve seen some incredible athletes come through this town,” adding that he realizes how connected Biddle must be to some of those athletes and others. “It’s interesting because when I see him, I’m sure some of the same people who were inspired across America – he meant something or his peers meant something to somebody, and so for that legacy to still be here, and I understand it, it’s giving me chills,” Harden said. David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News. ...read more read less