If I had more space for this essay, I'd include Epplin's reporting on the white Iowa fireballer Bob Feller's racially condescending comments on Satchel Paige (who Feller absurdly called "lazy" and unwilling to "bear down enough" in 1941) and Jackie Robinson -- and on Black players more generally. Back from a brief stint in the Pacific War, Feller tells reporters this in 1946 : "I can't see any chance at all for [Jackie] Robinson. And I'll say this --- if he were a white man, I doubt if they'd even consider him big league material" (Epplin, Our Team, p. 86). Wow --- a white guy who was set up for baseball success by his baseball-obsessed father from grade school on voicing absurd notions of reverse discrimination with whites as the suposed victims (right) in 1946, before Robinson begins his very successful career in MLB. Quite a not-so subtle racist Feller was, whatever his willingness to barnstorm with Black players prior to MLB integration. I doubt this is featued in the Bob Feller Museum in Feller's home town in Van Meter, Iowa, located in a now savagely right-wing "red" (brown) state. Paige by the way is brought up by the "Indians" (that racist team name and the wildly offensive logo that went with it are now finally and thankfully gone) in the middle of the 1948 season. He goes something like 6 and 1, pitching brilliantly and yet is the last pitcher the Cleveland team puts on the mound in the 1948 World Series. The Cleveland team wins the series thanks in no small part to Doby but the white phenom Feller loses both of his starts.
An excellent, interesting discussion of the history and current status of baseball and other sports particularly in how it relates to African American players. The most well known graduate of my 1960, Boys High School, Brooklyn, NY graduating class was the professional basketball player Connie Hawkins. Developed his skills in high school and on the playgrounds of Brooklyn.
Very interesting analysis. Some of the names of marvelous Black players from the golden era brought back memories. Lou Brock. Bob Gibson. Willie Stargell. They played the game with style and swagger.
If I had more space for this essay, I'd include Epplin's reporting on the white Iowa fireballer Bob Feller's racially condescending comments on Satchel Paige (who Feller absurdly called "lazy" and unwilling to "bear down enough" in 1941) and Jackie Robinson -- and on Black players more generally. Back from a brief stint in the Pacific War, Feller tells reporters this in 1946 : "I can't see any chance at all for [Jackie] Robinson. And I'll say this --- if he were a white man, I doubt if they'd even consider him big league material" (Epplin, Our Team, p. 86). Wow --- a white guy who was set up for baseball success by his baseball-obsessed father from grade school on voicing absurd notions of reverse discrimination with whites as the suposed victims (right) in 1946, before Robinson begins his very successful career in MLB. Quite a not-so subtle racist Feller was, whatever his willingness to barnstorm with Black players prior to MLB integration. I doubt this is featued in the Bob Feller Museum in Feller's home town in Van Meter, Iowa, located in a now savagely right-wing "red" (brown) state. Paige by the way is brought up by the "Indians" (that racist team name and the wildly offensive logo that went with it are now finally and thankfully gone) in the middle of the 1948 season. He goes something like 6 and 1, pitching brilliantly and yet is the last pitcher the Cleveland team puts on the mound in the 1948 World Series. The Cleveland team wins the series thanks in no small part to Doby but the white phenom Feller loses both of his starts.
An excellent, interesting discussion of the history and current status of baseball and other sports particularly in how it relates to African American players. The most well known graduate of my 1960, Boys High School, Brooklyn, NY graduating class was the professional basketball player Connie Hawkins. Developed his skills in high school and on the playgrounds of Brooklyn.
Very interesting analysis. Some of the names of marvelous Black players from the golden era brought back memories. Lou Brock. Bob Gibson. Willie Stargell. They played the game with style and swagger.