A life -long baseball man looked at his sport and did not, at all, like what he saw. He knew that Baseball was not at all what it could be for far too many excellent were deemed as unacceptable to take the field.There was no actual rule that permitted this situation to exist- it was a code that allowed for this an understanding among the owners that had existed for nearly 60 years- a misnamed, most certainly , "Gentlemen's Agreement"!
By the Early 1940's, Many Baseball Owners and executives saw a benefit to ending this agreement and bringing black ballplayers into the Major Leagues. Yet, The moves seemed to be tepid and extremely timid at first. An owner would suggest that he was willing to CONSIDER having black players on his team. He would do so to test the reaction of the public. The reaction would typically be- From his own team, " I won't play with a black teammate and I will personally tell him that I do not want him as a teammate." The players from other team would weigh in - " I will NOT take the field against any team that has a Colored/ Negro players on its' roster." I know those terms are both archaic and offensive, yet those are the terms that were primarily used to describe Black people in the US in the 1940's. There was, of course, a FAR worse word/ term used but I have no intention of using that vile and insulting word here!
Beyond the world of the athletes, Fans also weighed in that they would boycott teams that had blacks on their team. The Commissioner's office and the other owners who were not committed to this concept offered only weak insinuations that they might take action against any players determined to oppose integration.
Men and women of conscience are often stirred by clear unfairness and obvious and egregious injustice. One such man was Branch Rickey. A life long baseball man his roots in the sport go back to 1905 when he debuted as a catcher for the Saint Louis Browns ( Now ,The Baltimore Orioles) and later as as a catcher for the New York Highlanders ( Now, The New York Yankees). He retired from the sport in 1907 due to an arm injury. He then went on to become a coach, manager,talent scout and team executive. He advocated elaborate training camps and more extensive and demanding Spring Trainings. He helped the Saint Louis Cardinals to develop an extensive player development system- better known as Farm Teams.The Cardinals became a dominant and feared team in the 1930's and 1940's largely due to following Rickey's strategic blueprints!
This caused Branch Rickey to become a rather revered figure in the sport. Rickey was also a Bible reading Devout Christian. During his brief playing career, Rickey refused to play on Sundays saying that he would not violate the sabbath. Rickey, it must be said, clearly co-operated with the existing system for a good number of years as he grew to greater prominence in baseball.
In 1943, Larry Mc Phail, a long time friend of Rickey's asked Branch Rickey to come to The Brooklyn Dodgers and replace him as the General Manager and President of the team. The Dodgers played very poorly in the 1930's and had bobbed to the top briefly in the early 1940's - winning the National League Championship in 1941, The team was VERY hungry for success.
Rickey's conscience had steadily bothered him more and more over the maintenance of the "Gentleman's Agreement". He came to see that it was unjustifiable and to be ended at the earliest POSSIBLE opportunity. The ending of World War 2 provided just such a circumstance.
Once the War was over , He sent out his scouts to find the best black prospect available. One that would not only be outstanding on the field but one who possessed the temperament to handle all aspects of being The First Modern Black Major League Baseball player as well. Rickey also knew he'd have to "play a game" to throw off the nay sayers. He told his scouts to tell people that Rickey was planning to start a team in the Negro Leagues.
The search soon centered upon a man who had been a three sport athlete in college. This man had an older brother who competed for The US in the 1936 Olympics , bringing home a Silver Medal. The Man was Jack Roosevelt ( Jackie) Robinson.Robinson excelled in Football, Track and Baseball at UCLA. Baseball was considered his weakest sport. He was a fiery competitor with an insatiable hunger to win and to be the best player on the field.
It was obvious to Rickey that Robinson deserved to be on a Major League Roster - talent wise- but was he, in fact- The Right Man. Rickey asked Robinson to meet with him at his office at Ebbetts Field. He spoke to Robinson about his Christian principles and the teachings of Jesus. At one point, Jackie Robinson grew frustrated by the conversation- He wanted to know what the point was. He told Rickey that he'd been raised as a Christian and knew the Bible. He also told Rickey that he knew the Dodgers' offices were not a Church!
Rickey smiled, " Ok, Jackie, The reason you are here is that I want to put a Negro Player on the Field for The Dodgers and I think you might be the one to be that player." " Mr. Rickey, I'm a good ballplayer!", Robinson retorted. " No, Mr. Robinson, You are a GREAT PLAYER but what we need to do requires more than baseball abilities."
" Jackie, There are a lot of hate-filled people out there. You might need to deal with teammates who won't play with you. There may be death threats. You will be insulted and other players may deliberately decide to injure you." " Mr, Rickey, I know how to handle fighting situations. I was in the war." " Jackie, I know you are tough- but I need a man who can turn the other cheek- not repay anger with anger. I need someone who can do what needs to be done!" " Mr. Rickey, Are you looking for a coward, someone who won't fight back!" " No Jackie, I'm looking for someone smart and tough enough to fight back the right way!"
Robinson smiled and extended his hands, " I can do that, Mister Rickey! I will do that, Mister Rickey!" Rickey shook hands with the dignified and proud young man and placed a contract in front of him. The signature that was penned upon that paper changed history! Jackie excelled as a player on The Montreal Royals, The Dodgers' Top Farm Team, in 1946.
He had a stellar spring training in March of 1947 and was placed on the Dodgers Major League Roster. A cadre of Robinson's teammates said they would not play if he was their teammate. Rickey said, "Robinson will be on the field even if he is there by himself !". One of the most outspoken players opposed to having Robinson on the team was traded for a player far less talented than himself.
The Commissioner of Baseball, Albert Chandler, made it clear that he was fully behind the cause of Jackie Robinson and threatened to ban players for lifetime who acted to sabotage this effort. The 1947 Season was a tough campaign for Jackie Robinson but he endured it. He played a vital role in helping the Dodgers to win the 1947 National League Pennant. Robinson was also selected to be the Rookie of the Year!
Branch Rickey let conviction demanded of him that he do the Right thing. Jackie Robinson was tough enough and dedicated to the principled fight of the moment to not verbally lash out or throw punches! The events of 1947 were truly a mere small step, but they were a mighty and memorable first step!
No comments:
Post a Comment