Important Numbers In American Baseball Essay Example

than he received.

Baseball had been America's dominant sport since the late 19th century and was known as the nation's pastime for a hundred years until football emerged as its rival. The country had a strong passion for baseball and established teams throughout its entire history.

From the small town to the big city, every area imaginable, formed and supported their teams. In the early days of baseball, African Americans played alongside white players. In the 19th century, around fifty African American players joined white baseball teams. However, in 1887, when the Chicago White Stockings faced the Newark Giants, who had two black players on their roster, Cap Anson, player/manager of the White Stockings, refused to play and prohibited his team from playing until the African American players were removed from the field. Newark complied and later that day, officials from the National and American Leagues established a "Gentleman's Agreement" which prevented African Americans from receiving contracts in professional baseball due to perceived hazards they brought to the game. This agreement faced minimal challenges during its seventy-year existence as baseball law. Meanwhile, African Americans, aware of their abilities in baseball, formed their own leagues and teams to rival the popularity of organized white clubs. They eventually established the Negro Leagues.

The Spanish term "negro" translates to "Black." Historically, it was used by the white establishment to refer to African Americans. Today, African Americans accept this term when discussing the history of baseball. The name "Negro Leagues" is a source of pride for those who recognize the achievements of these leagues. They were able to organize and compete with the white baseball establishment in various ways. Rube Foster, a

notable figure in Negro Leagues history, stands out as their most significant player and key figure during their early days.

Foster, a renowned baseball pitcher, gained fame for training Christy Mattheson, the Hall of Fame pitcher for the New York Giants. He played until 1907 before joining and managing the Leland Giants, one of the most prominent teams in the early 20th century. As head of the Giants, Foster insisted on being involved in almost every aspect of the team and swiftly transformed them into a formidable force. Alongside his control over the Giants, Foster was dedicated to promoting an all-black league that would have African Americans managing and operating teams. This vision became reality in 1920 during discussions held in Kansas City, resulting in the establishment of eight teams: Chicago American Giants, Chicago Giants, Cuban Stars, Dayton Marcos, Detroit Stars, Indianapolis ABCs, Kansas City Monarchs, and St. Louis Giants.

Afterward, the renowned Homestead Grays emerged under Foster's dominance. This signaled the start of a prosperous era for the Negro Leagues, characterized by significant expansion within the African American community. Concurrently with the Harlem Renaissance and mass migration of African Americans from the oppressive South to the promising North, backing for the established Negro Baseball League surged, resulting in flourishing success for the team.

At this time, two of the greatest stars were Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson. It was rumored that Gibson hit over 800 home runs while Paige had a wide range of pitches that consistently struck out opposing batters. In 1948, Paige became the oldest rookie when he joined the Cleveland Indians as a pitcher. However, there were no indications that the Major Leagues would

allow African Americans on their teams. Despite over 70% of current baseball players secretly supporting the idea of having African American teammates, the gentleman’s agreement remained in place. The main reason for the agreement's duration was Kennesaw Mountain Landis, baseball’s first commissioner. After the baseball scandal in 1919 where eight players intentionally lost the World Series for a $10,000 pay out, baseball owners sought to improve their image by hiring a single commissioner with complete control. Landis only accepted the job under these conditions and held it for the next twenty-four years.

However, the impact of WWII on baseball was significant. African Americans experienced both positive and negative changes as a result of the war. Many who were previously unable to find work now found employment in defense jobs. However, upon returning home, African American soldiers faced the same prejudice they had fought against in Germany and Japan. One notable event occurred on July 6, 1944, when Jackie Robinson, an army private, refused to give up his seat on a segregated bus and faced a court-martial for it. Despite segregation within the army not being abolished until 1947, Robinson was acquitted by a review board that recognized his rights and found no fault with his actions. Robinson later described this event as fighting two wars – one abroad against a foreign enemy and one at home. It was also during this time that Commissioner Landis passed away and former US Senator Albert "Happy" Chandler took over.

Despite doubts about whether the move would be an improvement, Chandler admitted that he accepted the job due to the higher salary. He firmly believed in America as a meritocracy and

advocated for inclusivity in baseball, stating, "If he is good enough to fight, hell, he is good enough to play baseball," when discussing African American players. However, what was truly needed was a courageous owner willing to break the color barrier and make their team the first. It appeared that the Gentleman's agreement still held sway. In 1945, all sixteen owners were asked if they objected to hiring an African American player; only one claimed not to.

Branch Rickey, formerly the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1920's, moved from St. Louis to Brooklyn to assume ownership and general management of the Brooklyn Dodgers. While with the Cardinals, Rickey innovated baseball by implementing spring training and creating the farm system, both now integral aspects of today's league.

Currently, all baseball teams employ vital instruments to assemble the most competent players. Rickey sought to transform the sport again by introducing the inaugural African American player. The task for Rickey was not only locating the finest player from numerous individuals in the Negro League, but also finding someone who would seamlessly integrate with the Dodgers and manage the racial animosity they would encounter during their initial year and beyond. Rickey faced an important choice.

If Rickey had chosen the wrong player, integration within baseball may have had to wait until the passing of Brown vs. Board seven years later, which declared segregation unconstitutional. However, even by the late 1950s, there were still American institutions engaging in legal battles to postpone integration. American baseball could have been among those institutions had Rickey made the wrong choice. Understanding this, Rickey diligently searched for the right person. In 1944, Jackie Robinson

was a player for the Kansas City Monarchs, earning $400 per month. Robinson's teammate, Joe Black, described him as a "race man" who recognized the challenges faced by his community and wanted them to succeed.

"Buck O’Neil, a prominent figure in the Negro Leagues who passed away earlier this year at 95, recounts the incident where the team bus, in need of refueling its two 50-gallon tanks, stopped at a gas station and requested to use the restroom. Unfortunately, the owner of the gas station refused their plea. Facing uncertainty about the location of the next gas station, Robinson decided that they would not purchase the 100 gallons of gasoline. Eventually, the owner relented, and this incident set a precedent for the team's approach towards other gas stations. This incident serves as evidence that Robinson was acutely aware of the racial injustices prevalent in America during those times. It also poses a question: would this make him a suitable candidate? The baseball world was about to find out. The Dodgers' top scout, Clyde Sukeforth, was assigned to evaluate Robinson, paying particular attention to his throwing arm. Sukeforth liked what he observed and summoned Robinson after the game to inform him that Branch Rickey wanted to speak with him."

When Rickey expressed a desire to speak with Robinson, his curiosity was piqued. However, the reason for their meeting remained undisclosed until they could meet in person. During their meeting, Rickey played the role of devil's advocate by using racial slurs against Robinson. The purpose was to test Robinson's reaction and determine if he had the ability to refrain from retaliating. It was made clear to Robinson that he

would only be allowed to join the Montreal Royals, which served as the Dodgers' minor league team, at the beginning of the 1946 season under one condition: he must agree not to fight back for three years. The assumption was that Canada would provide an easier experience for Robinson since race seemed less significant there compared to America. However, this assumption proved partially incorrect when Clay Hopper, who managed the Royals and originally hailed from Mississippi, showed no interest in leading an integrated team.

Initially, he pleaded with Mr. Rickey to prevent this occurrence and also doubted Mr. Rickey's faith in the humanity of a ni-er. However, by season's end, Hopper had a change of heart due to Robinson's extraordinary performance. Consequently, he enthusiastically supported Robinson's promotion to the 1947 starting lineup. Nonetheless, there was no indication from Mr.

Red Barber, the Dodgers radio announcer, had complete confidence in Mr. Rickey's determination and commitment to bring Robinson up to the major leagues. Barber firmly trusted that if Mr. Rickey made a promise, he would undoubtedly fulfill it.

"Mr. Rickey believed that baseball needed to be integrated, a belief he held for the past thirty years. He recounted a personal experience to Red Barber about his time as the manager of the Ohio Wesleyan baseball team before World War I. During a game against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, the team encountered segregation when their African American player attempted to register at a hotel but was denied by the guest agent. Despite Mr. Rickey explaining the situation, no resolution was reached."

Agreeing only when Mr. Rickey proposed that the African American player share a room with him, the guest

agent instructed the player to go upstairs and promised he would join him shortly.

Upon entering the room, Mr. Rickey found the player sitting on his bed, in tears and expressing a strong desire to harm himself, believing that everything was working against him. Mr. Rickey recognized that he had been aware of the player's crying for several years and confirmed his determination to do something about it.

On Tuesday, April 15, 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers played against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The crowd of 26,623 fans, mostly African American, gathered to see Jackie Robinson's performance. Although Robinson went 0-3, the Dodgers won with a score of 5-3. However, Robinson faced more challenges during his baseball career. Just a week later, when the Dodgers faced the Philadelphia Phillies, manager Ben Chapman continuously used racial slurs towards Robinson. Despite this adversity, Mr. Rickey, the Dodgers' manager, acknowledged Chapman's actions for contributing to team unity.

By releasing that series of unacceptable insults, he solidified and unified a group of thirty men. "This was the actuality. Numerous men, especially those who had initially opposed Robinson joining the Dodgers and had even circulated a petition to prevent Mr. Rickey from signing him, were the same individuals who came to Robinson's defense during the three-year period in which Robinson agreed not to retaliate. Jackie Robinson remained with the Dodgers until the conclusion of the 1956 season, when he chose against relocating to Los Angeles, where the Dodgers would commence their 1957 season. He also declined to be traded to the Giants, who themselves moved to San Francisco in under a year. In 1951, Robinson achieved the title of MVP."

Thanks

to his actions on and off the field, several stars from the Negro Leagues got the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues. The Dodgers signed catcher Roy Campanella and pitcher Don Newcome, while the Cleveland Indians signed Monte Irvin, who played a key role in integrating the American League. The Indians also signed Satchel Paige. The African American stars of the late 40’s and 1950’s, such as Ernie Banks with the Cubs, Willie Mays with the Giants, Hank Aaron with the Braves, and Frank Robinson with the Royals, might not have had the chance to play if it wasn't for Jackie Robinson and his impact on race relations in Major League Baseball. Although baseball would eventually have been integrated without Jackie Robinson's influence, it would have taken much longer. Thanks to Robinson's success in this experiment and his understanding of its significance, Major League Baseball became a leader in race relations in the country. By proving himself in this social experiment, Robinson highlighted the importance of sports in American life.

The Royals manager, Clay Hopper, lacked first-hand experience with African Americans, leading to an ignorant opinion about 10% of the population. This ignorance fosters racism. However, once Hopper got to know Jackie Robinson as both an athlete and a human being, his views on race improved significantly. This scenario is common in America, even today. Jackie Robinson not only became the first African American in baseball, but he also excelled in making this social experiment work in both the present and the future. Over the past sixty years, baseball has fully integrated, welcoming players based on skill rather than skin color. This transformation aligns with

the core values of America: a meritocracy that rewards talent instead of factors like birth, social status, or race. Jackie Robinson's impact extends beyond just the sport of baseball, and it reflects the ideals that define America's success.

Jackie Robinson, despite his death in 1972, remains not only an interesting and talented player but also an important figure in the game of baseball. Among the hundreds of good players and a handful of great players in the game of baseball, only a few can be classified as important, and Jackie Robinson is one of them.