Most Influential African American Baseball Figure Besides Jackie Robinson

[jason.1969]

May forever be unknown and highly doubted, but some would say baseball's most influential (part) African American was George Herman Ruth.

[jandr272]

Aaron, and I chose him before looking at everyone else that is saying it. Played in the south during the heyday of the civil rights campaign. The crap he dealt with when he approached/broke the record. His near saint-like demeanor through all of it.

[Fred]

Has anybody tallied up the also rans for this pole? There were quite a few others tallied. Is there a total with the top 10 leading vote getters that weren't on the original list?

[Wihawk]

Chalk up another vote for Satchel Paige

[toledo_mudhen]

Buck O'Neil for me.....

http://newtown100.heraldtribune.com/...seball-beyond/

[Fred]

Ok, I did it. Up to this post here are the "also rans" or "others" not listed in the original poll. Note that if you said more than one person, then l didn't count either. If I saw you post twice, the second "mention" didn't count. I'd give this list a good chance of being accurate (either that or I'm f*@&ing with you all and just making this up - nah.... )

Hank Aaron - 16
Satchel Paige - 7
Curt Flood - 6
Buck O'Neil - 4
Willie Mays - 3
Frank Robinson - 2

The following had a vote a piece: Josh Gibson, Jim Claxton, Doc Ellis, Pumpsie Green, Larry Doby, Roy Campenella, Clarence Thomas, Maury Wills, Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter.

[WWGjohn]

I'd pick Aaron and F. Robinson.

John

[brass_rat]

I voted for "Other" with both Hank Aaron and Curt Flood in mind.

Have a nice day,
Steve

[Bigdaddy]

Voted 'other' with a tip o' the cap to Hammerin' Hank Aaron

[iwantitiwinit]

Bob Gibson

[jbhofmann]

Satchel Paige

Probably the greatest showman the game of baseball had ever seen. Legend has it that he regularly outdrew (attendance) MLB games when he pitched and that was sometimes on back to back days for different teams. He was an entertainer and that's what I really think people miss in today's game.

[brian1961]

BRAD W------Many thanks and a tip of the hat for beating me to the punch with the name of Mr. Charles Thomas. Many years ago when I read Branch Rickey's story of that poor man crying and tearing at his skin, I starting bawling too. Esoteric choice, yes. Most influential, yes----to the man who counted the most, the man who witnessed the event and was so haunted by it that he determined in his heart and soul that if he ever could do anything about getting Black people allowed to play baseball, he would. According to Arnold Rampersad's fine biography of Jack, Branch Rickey was the coach of the Ohio Wesleyan baseball team. To think that happened in South Bend, Indiana; just 15 miles away from me.

To answer the actual question of the thread, I would join those who selected "OTHER", and fill in the name of Curt Flood.

Every Black athlete and major league baseball player should get down on their knees beside their bed and thank God Almighty for those four men (Thomas, Rickey, Robinson, Flood) on this Thanksgiving Day.

---Brian Powell