'It really motivated me': Trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum inspires White Sox and ACE players

Hamilton called the tour a “blessing.”

“Not everybody gets to have something like this,” he said. “The fact that I get the chance to have this opportunity is really good.”

Barfield always tries to make it a point to visit the museum whenever he is in town. He enjoyed getting the chance to share the experience with the ACE players.

“It’s another generation removed from the Negro Leagues,” Barfield said. “I think the farther and farther we get away from it, it’s so important for young kids to hear those stories so they continue to pass that on and get an appreciation of like why we get to play the game today and the privileges we have today.

“Those guys paved the way for us. It’s an awesome story. I think they really enjoyed their time there.”

So did Kopech, who made his first visit with his family. Like Jones, Kopech was enthralled by Paige.

“I always love Satchel Paige, hearing story after story about Satchel Paige,” Kopech said. “I didn’t know he could potentially have been older than I thought when he played, which is crazy to think about.

“I went in biased because I always liked Satchel Paige — seeing how much (overall) memorabilia is there, all the signed balls, it’s really cool.”

The lessons went beyond the playing field.

“As I remind folks, it is triumph over that adversity,” Kendrick said. “That’s what makes this story so compelling, so awe-inspiring to those who come here.

“I think they come here and they walk away cheering the power of the human spirit to persevere and prevail.”

Everyone said they left inspired.

“It really showed stories and how the MLB really developed,” Jones said. “It really motivated me and really uplifted me to be as good as them and have as much love for the game.”