For any Cap Anson fans...

[Archive]

Posted By: Brad

Without a doubt, Anson was a racist. What is important to consider, however, is the historical context. His opinions on African-Americans were shared by many other whites in both baseball and the population at large. We must remember that the period of time we are talking about is only 30 years after the Civil War. Racism would be rampant in American Culture throughout the late 19th Century and the first half of the 20th Century. Cap's refusal to play a game in which Fleetwood Walker, a black catcher and outfielder, is pointed at as the "line drawn in the sand" in regards to segregation in baseball. But it is almost certain blacks would not be permitted to play in the majors even if Cap hadn't been in the league. There were just too many white owners and players with racist beliefs at that period in history to think otherwise. The wide reporting of the Walker / Anson incident resulted in Anson earning the segregation scapegoat reputation. But it is unfair to have him shoulder all the blame. A color line was inevitable, albeit a great shame to the national game. On the page, I'll document talks that occurred in baseball several months earlier than the Walker incident in which the color line was discussed. And the fact that it took over 55 years to repel the ban of black players is proof that racist attitudes extended way beyond Anson's influence. Yes - Anson was a racist, but he was not alone. And it is unfair to say the "gentlemen's agreement" to exclude blacks was entirely his fault.