A quiet subversive on the mound
Leroy Paige:
But there is more to Satchel’s legacy than eye-popping records. While many dismissed him as a Stepin Fetchit if not an Uncle Tom, he was something else entirely - a quiet subversive, defying Uncle Tom and Jim Crow. He refused to play in a town unless it supplied lodging and food to him and his teammates, a defiance for which young civil rights workers later would get arrested.
Satchel’s loudest claims for equality came on the field. He pitched spectacularly enough, especially when his teams were beating the best of the white major leaguers, that white sportswriters turned out to watch black baseball. He proved that black fans would fill ballparks and that white fans would turn out to see black superstars. He drew the spotlight first to himself, then to his all-black Kansas City Monarchs team, and inevitably to the Monarchs’ rookie second baseman Jackie Robinson. As one veteran Negro Leaguer put it, Jackie may have opened the door to the new racial reality when he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, but it was Satchel who had inserted the key a full generation before.
7 months ago
Chiburb
12 comments
2 recs |
Comments
have you read dave zirin's book?
“what’s my name fool? sports and resistance in the united states”? dave zirin writes for edge of sports, and is a occasional writer for counterpunch, i think you would like it. great section on segregation era and marvin miller, as well as the 1968 olympics…
Always bet on black!
by onlysoxfaninboston on Jul 7, 2009 10:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Will see if it's on Kindle. Thx for the rec.
"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"
by Chiburb on Jul 7, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like this very much, Chi.
Thanks.
We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
by winningugly on Jul 7, 2009 10:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Glad you liked it.
"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"
by Chiburb on Jul 7, 2009 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I prefer my subversives loud, stupid and heavily tatooed, thank you.

by The Actual El Guapo on Jul 7, 2009 6:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
We all know the SSS outing was fun, but give the pictures a rest
The Chicago Bulls.....the more profitable Los Angeles Clippers.
by Ozzie Montana on Jul 7, 2009 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you think all white people look the same. though that made me laugh, you're still a racist.
Cashing checks and having sex.
by MarketMaker on Jul 8, 2009 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It does look like larry with hair.
We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
by winningugly on Jul 8, 2009 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think this pic is more flattering

Always bet on black!
by onlysoxfaninboston on Jul 8, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
His chick looks like Fox' Greta van Susteren.
We’re a pack of a-holes.
by rhythm on Apr 14, 2009 1:45 PM EDT
by winningugly on Jul 8, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe she looked better
before seeing ligue (unfortunately)…not sure if it’s judgmental for me to assume violence against women here
Always bet on black!
by onlysoxfaninboston on Jul 8, 2009 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only if she coaches first base.
"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"
by Chiburb on Jul 8, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs






















