Most Influential African American Baseball Figure Besides Jackie Robinson

[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