Leroy Satchel Paige: Legendary Baseball Player

Everyone has heard of the infamous “Babe Ruth”, but few people know that his birth given name is George Herman Ruth, Jr. He lived from February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948, and was best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat". Babe was an American baseball player who spent 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) playing for three teams between the years of 1914–1935. The most important points of Babe’s life are his early childhood, his major league baseball career, and the legacy that Babe left behind.

games, even though he didn't play much Babe Ruth had staggering power behind the plate,

Although the court case of Plessy v. Ferguson declared segregation to be legal as long as things were equal in 1896, baseball had already done this about ten years prior. There was a creation of the Negro League in the 1920s through the 1940s so that African Americans could have the same opportunities and white players even though they were not allowed on any of the major league teams. Jackie Robinson was a rookie player on the Kansas City Monarchs, a Negro League team, and being along side Satchel Paige, no one even noticed who he was. According to the reading in Jackie Robinson and Race in America by Thomas Zeiler, Satchel Paige was the first negro player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and he possibly believed to be one of the best pitchers of all time. Another comrade of Robinson’s during his time in the Negro League would be Josh Gibson, one of the greatest catchers and hitters of all time. The owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers,

The game of baseball evolved immensely during the 1900’s. There were new rules and rule changes, new teams in new states, and then there was Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson was a true legend from the day he was born in 1919. Baseball had it all in the first half of the 1900’s, fans filled the stadiums day after day, even during the war times. There was a big-name player on almost every team, children and adults admired these professional baseball players. The only thing professional baseball didn’t have during these times were African American players. Learning about the hardships that he had to overcome as a young boy, and the accomplishments he made from his college days at UCLA, to becoming the first African American professional baseball player, Jackie made it known that he was an American hero.

In November 1944, he was passing by a field in Kansas City where the Negro league team, the Kansas City Monarchs was playing and he thought, why not? The Negro Leagues were depleted of talent because of the war so they accepted Jackie with open arms. This is where Jackie would build his legend as he blossomed into a star. In 1946, Branch Dickey decided he was going to break the barrier and sign a Negro league player, the only question was who? Josh Gibson was the best talent but had a history of tempers, anger, and abuse. Satchel Paige was the best pitcher but they felt he was too old. When Rickey began to watch Jackie, he noticed his speed and ability to take over a game. Rickey also knew Robinson was an educated man and grew up with lots of racism, so he felt like Robinson could handle the absolute hell he would have to take by breaking the barrier (Daniels 167).

George Herman also referred to as Babe Ruth, The Great Gambino, and The Suitan of Swat influenced the game of baseball greatly. This man, being six foot, two inches high and weighing two hundred and fifteen pounds

The MLB went through a drastic adjustment as a result of the introduction of Jackie Robison to the league. The league at the time was a white league. He broke a wall that prevented the opportunity for people of colour to have a chance and show the true potential and skill of their abilities. Other than breaking a major colour barrier in the sports leagues, he helped with the introduction of more black players in the league. The league started seeing more and more players that were not white. Soon after in 1947, the next black player joined the Cleveland Indians. The players became much more comfortable with the idea of a minority playing with them.

white league, Jackie had a very impressive career. Some awards and accolades that he won

Babe Ruth, baseball's “superslugger” was drafted by the Yankees for the most paid player in the league. New York paid Harry Frazee, from Boston $125,000. He caused a huge upset in the national game by batting out twenty-nine home runs. People believed that the Yankee manager would offer him a new contract. President Ruppert said Ruth would probably play right field for the Yankees. He played in left field for the Red Sox , and had the highest fielding average of all the outfielders, he only made two mistakes during the season. While he was on the Pacific Coast, Manager Huggins also tried to sign Duffy Lewis, who was one of Ruth's partners in the outfield at the Polo Grounds.

Jackie Robinson, known for being a hero, was the first black American to play in a Major League Baseball. Most people remember him as disciplined, persistent and courageous. Jackie persevered through many death threats, all because he had a different skin colour from the other baseball players. In that time period, black people did not have the same rights as white people and both groups were not allowed to play sports together. Despite the challenges, he managed to win the “National League Rookie of the Year” award in his first season. Jackie also helped the Brooklyn Dodgers get to the National League Championship and he won the league MVP award. To celebrate his achievements, the Brooklyn Dodgers retired his number 42 and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. A movie was created to portray his life as a being the first black baseball player. Jackie Robinson has won awards and completed many accomplishments throughout his life.

Between the years of 1945-1956 he looked to gain respect and influence through his baseball career. With this newfound respect, he was able to have a great influence and long lasting legacy within the sport of baseball, and also in the rights of African Americans. Specifically, in 1959, he broke his long silence and became an outspoken advocate for racial equality especially is the south where the major league’s teams’ spring training camps were. At this time, he urged baseball to use its economic and social power to help desegregate the injustice of

Jackie robertson is the famous baseball player .why was he famous well let me tell you.it was a long time ago when world war two ended the coach needed a new team member s he wanted jackie robertson but the other team members did not want him on the team because of his skin color. The coach wanted him on the team so he let him be on the team. The had told he after a few games that he was the best on the team.

Walter Johnson was a famous baseball player that was born in Humboldt, Kansas and played for the Washington Senators for 21 years. (Museum, Unknown) Walter Johnson was born in Humboldt, Kansas. Walter’s birthdate is November 6th, 1887. Went to Fullerton Union High School. Died in Washington, DC on December 10th, 1946 and was buried at Rockville Cemetery, Rockville, MD. (Museum, Unknown) In July of 1907, Walter Johnson got signed as a free agent with the Washington Senators and stayed with them for his entire career. Walter was inducted into the Hall of Fame by BBWAA as Player in 1936. He played baseball for 21 years. He started playing when he was 19 and ended when he was 39. He played for the Washington Senators. He played his last game on

Babe Ruth’s pitching ability was one of a kind. Babe Ruth could have been a Hall of Fame pitcher even if he didn’t go to the Yankee’s and be one of the best hitters of all time. His lifetime record as a pitcher was 94-46. His overall ERA or earned runs

In the August 30, 1905 edition of Detroit’s Free Press, the sportswriters ran a small blurb announcing the arrival of a Detroit Tigers rookie, Ty Cobb. They stated, “Cobb left the South Atlantic League with a batting average of .328. He will not pile up anything like that in this league, and he doesn’t expect to” (Allen 177). Their prediction ironically rung true. Cobb hit better than their projected .328 batting average twenty times in his twenty four seasons (McCallum 217). Tyrus Raymond Cobb’s prolific career leads many fans and historians to believe that he deserves the title of greatest hitter of all time. However, some critics would argue that Ted Williams warrants this distinction. Unfortunately