Most Influential African American Baseball Figure Besides Jackie Robinson

[ATP]

I also chose other and because of Aaron. He had a really tough barrier to break through when approaching the record.

[cardinalcollector]

Buck O'Neill

[bobbyw8469]

Hank Aaron. I don't know anybody on your list.

[bobbvc]

Curt Flood- Free Agency. Yes ,I did see Sean's post.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I guess I should have specified Pre-Integration (Pre-Jackie Robinson) but it's fine, let's keep the responses coming, very interesting..........

[autocentral]

I choose Foster but I think Buck O'Neil is up there.

Nick

[campyfan39]

Aaron and Frank Robby

[Jobu]

Rube Foster and Buck O'Neil for me.

[ValKehl]

Hammerin' Henry, without a doubt!

[DerekMichael]

Josh Gibson. He could have been a record setter, but never got the chance. He was only 35 when I died if I remember correctly.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by DerekMichael

Josh Gibson. He could have been a record setter, but never got the chance. He was only 35 when I died if I remember correctly.

When did you die?

[Koufax32fan]

My initial thought upon reading the question - Hank Aaron, for many of the reasons already mentioned.

Upon some reflection (if 20 to 30 seconds counts), my vote(s) would go to Rube Foster and Effa Manley and Rachel Robinson. The question wasn't limited to men and we shouldn't forget the contributions of these 2 great women.

Jimmy Claxton, to many accomplishments to list but I'll start with among the first African Americans to integrate the PCL, and semi-professional leagues in Seattle, Tacoma, Portland, and Reno. Among the first African American managers of a white semi-pro baseball team, the Roslyn Yippers 1926-27 (I believe Ike Ward's management of the Colville baseball team from 1913 to 1915 was the first in Washington, perhaps nationally). The first to be depicted on an American baseball card, well this list could just get exhaustive.....

[kmac32]

Hank Aaron

[Mountaineer1999]

Hank Aaron

[clydepepper]

Larry Doby - his efforts and struggles are overlooked in the wake of Jackie Robinson.

It should be remembered that he came up the same year in the other league before there was inter-league play...so, his treatment and 'reception' was most likely the same, though I have never read anything on it.

Before coast-to-coast TV coverage, you would only see players live at games and, in American League only cities, the only black player was Larry Doby.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Larry Doby - his efforts and struggles are overlooked in the wake of Jackie Robinson.

...

...so, his treatment and 'reception' was most likely the same, though I have never read anything on it.

Given that he was the most influential figure in black baseball other than Jackie, that seems impossible.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Given that he was the most influential figure in black baseball other than Jackie, that seems impossible.

You were right....guess I never looked, but I'm buying one today:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161408989172...MakeTrack=true

[tedzan]

I agree with Adam W (Post #55).

I was a young avid BB fan in 1947 when Jackie Robinson was a rookie. And, Satchell Paige followed him.

I remember those years very clearly. You had to experience the excitement back in 1947 and 1948, respectively, to really
appreciate Jackie and Satchell. Those were very exciting times. And....in my opinion, the 1947 World Series (Yankees vs
Dodgers) was the greatest.






......


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TED Z
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[packs]

Just wondering what you guys consider your choice's influence to be. I might be misunderstanding the spirit of the discussion but to me an influential person changes something forever. Jackie being the basis is throwing me off.

[baseballfan]

I went with other

Aaron had the weight of the world on his shoulders shortly after racial tensions in the country and performed at a high level

[Bob Lemke]

My vote is Roy Campanella. He had to prove that Black catchers had the "intelligence" and the guts to handle white pitchers.

I also seem to remember that he was being groomed by the Dodgers to become a manager at the time of his tragedy.

[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.

[wolf441]

I'd have to agree with everyone that said Rube Foster. With that said, Buck O'Neil may have been the nicest human being that I've ever met.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by wolf441

I'd have to agree with everyone that said Rube Foster. With that said, Buck O'Neil may have been the nicest human being that I've ever met.

Steve, I am envious. I'd give anything to go back in time to meet Buck O'Neil. Anything. Every time I watch the Ken Burns documentary, I enjoy his interview segments most of all. Not only was he a great man, and by all accounts a tremendously nice person, he was unmatched as a story teller. When he would talk about Satchel Page and Josh Gibson, it was as if he just watched them play. All those years later, he still had that spark in his eye. The man just loved baseball. One of my favorite recollections of his was when he talked about the first Negro League All Star Game, which I believe was in Chicago. And he talked about how everybody got dressed up to go to the ballpark.

I am so thankful that he lived long enough to recount his memories on film. He left a veritable treasure trove of baseball history for future generations to enjoy. I wish I could have met him. I wish I could have just say with him for an hour to talk about the game. Well, I'd have just listened. I stumbled across a book written by Joe Posnanski called Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America. Have you read it? I can't believe he and O'Neil toured America to watch the game at different stadiums...while he was 94 years old, no less. What an incredible treat that would have been.

When I heard that Mr. O'Neil had died, I wept. He was a mighty fine ball player. Maybe not up to the level of Gibson, or Paige, Cool Papa Bell or Smokey Joe Williams. But if there is a way to elect him as a contributor to the game, or a keeper of the game's spirit, Buck O'Neil should be in Cooperstown. He was a National Treasure, and the game will never see another man like him.

[nebboy]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

Steve, I am envious. I'd give anything to go back in time to meet Buck O'Neil. Anything. Every time I watch the Ken Burns documentary, I enjoy his interview segments most of all. Not only was he a great man, and by all accounts a tremendously nice person, he was unmatched as a story teller. When he would talk about Satchel Page and Josh Gibson, it was as if he just watched them play. All those years later, he still had that spark in his eye. The man just loved baseball. One of my favorite recollections of his was when he talked about the first Negro League All Star Game, which I believe was in Chicago. And he talked about how everybody got dressed up to go to the ballpark.

I am so thankful that he lived long enough to recount his memories on film. He left a veritable treasure trove of baseball history for future generations to enjoy. I wish I could have met him. I wish I could have just say with him for an hour to talk about the game. Well, I'd have just listened. I stumbled across a book written by Joe Posnanski called Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip Through Buck O'Neil's America. Have you read it? I can't believe he and O'Neil toured America to watch the game at different stadiums...while he was 94 years old, no less. What an incredible treat that would have been.

When I heard that Mr. O'Neil had died, I wept. He was a mighty fine ball player. Maybe not up to the level of Gibson, or Paige, Cool Papa Bell or Smokey Joe Williams. But if there is a way to elect him as a contributor to the game, or a keeper of the game's spirit, Buck O'Neil should be in Cooperstown. He was a National Treasure, and the game will never see another man like him.

Well said!

[Klrdds]

Bill I agree with all you said . My favorite Buck moments from Burns' documentary are: 1. Him talking about Jackie Robinson and the gas station and using the restroom . And 2. The sound of a ball hitting a bat that he has only heard 3 times in his life.
Buck is probably the greatest ambassador baseball has ever known but as its most influential person or as a HoFer as a player unfortunately in my opinion no. However it would be great if he could get formal induction into the Hall somehow. Remember what he said when he did not make it in 2006.... He said he was already in the Hall because Satchel and Josh were in the Hall and that was enough for him. What a great guy. I met him once and it was an experience!!

[Dan Carson]

I agree with Ted Z.

Leroy "Satchell" Paige and San Diego's John Ritchey on the west coast....

[cubsfan-budman]

Aaron, imho.

[jasoneggert]

Aaron

[triwak]

(Shameless card posting)! But I did vote for Rube.

[Runscott]

Ken, do you know who the suited man in the background is? If not, could you please email me a large scan of him? Thanks.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Ken, do you know who the suited man in the background is? If not, could you please email me a large scan of him? Thanks.

Looks like a photobomb 1911-style. He is in the stands.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Looks like a photobomb 1911-style. He is in the stands.

Doh! I didn't notice that.

I asked because it looks like Jack Johnson - Johnson was associated primarily with Kansas City teams during that period, but these guys were known to show up on teams and in photos, all across the midwest. Finding him with this team would have been historically significant.

[Bigdaddy]

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