VOL. XV, NO. 1
SEPTEMBER 28, 1973
714
Some Fans Shun Aaron Nearing Ruth's Record
Some Fans Shun Aaron Nearing Ruth's Record
By CHRIS LADNER
"Hey, you're a great pitcher. Too bad you aren't white." The immortal pitcher Satchel Paige included the above quote in his autobiography, Maybe I'll Pitch Forever. The quote applied to blacks who were shunned from the major leagues, which made a mockery of the final line of the National Anthem. The signing of Jackie Robinson supposedly helped put an end to the ignorant, prejudiced beliefs of some people.
However, in 1973, one man is still getting letters which begin "Dear Nigger." The reason for the great bulk of the hate mail is because the man is steadily creeping up on a record that was set by a white man over 35 years ago. The man is Henry Aaron of the Atlanta Braves, and the record he is chasing is that of Babe Ruth's 714 home runs.
The Braves have had to ask for police protection in some cities for a few fans, as they call themselves, are sick enough to want to kill this great athlete just because he is black. There is even a rumor that a certain manager wants his pitcher to purposely bean Aaron when he reaches number 713, one short of the sought-after record.
"Hey, you're a great pitcher. Too bad you aren't white." The immortal pitcher Satchel Paige included the above quote in his autobiography, Maybe I'll Pitch Forever. The quote applied to blacks who were shunned from the major leagues, which made a mockery of the final line of the National Anthem. The signing of Jackie Robinson supposedly helped put an end to the ignorant, prejudiced beliefs of some people.
However, in 1973, one man is still getting letters which begin "Dear Nigger." The reason for the great bulk of the hate mail is because the man is steadily creeping up on a record that was set by a white man over 35 years ago. The man is Henry Aaron of the Atlanta Braves, and the record he is chasing is that of Babe Ruth's 714 home runs.
The Braves have had to ask for police protection in some cities for a few fans, as they call themselves, are sick enough to want to kill this great athlete just because he is black. There is even a rumor that a certain manager wants his pitcher to purposely bean Aaron when he reaches number 713, one short of the sought-after record.
It is fine to argue that Ruth had it easier because parks were smaller, or Aaron has it easy because of the extended major league schedule. But to wish a man dead just because he threatens to break a record set by a man of a different complexion, well, there is no excuse.
It is my belief that Ruth's record would have been broken long ago if blacks had always been allowed to compete in the major leagues. In the few short years that they have been allowed on the same diamond as whites, they have established themselves as some of the greatest players in the history of the game. Out of the top three homerun sluggers of all time, two are Hack.
Imagine for a moment going out on the field and, no matter what you do, having racial slurs screamed at you and having to take it. Imagine having to eat in the kitchen of a restaurant while your white team mates it in comfort outside. While it is true that some of these conditions have been eliminated, why shouldn't they all be? When players of all colors can break records without having to fear for their own lives and when people stop becoming incensed over such a trivial matter as color, perhaps then there will be true brotherhood.
It is my belief that Ruth's record would have been broken long ago if blacks had always been allowed to compete in the major leagues. In the few short years that they have been allowed on the same diamond as whites, they have established themselves as some of the greatest players in the history of the game. Out of the top three homerun sluggers of all time, two are Hack.
Imagine for a moment going out on the field and, no matter what you do, having racial slurs screamed at you and having to take it. Imagine having to eat in the kitchen of a restaurant while your white team mates it in comfort outside. While it is true that some of these conditions have been eliminated, why shouldn't they all be? When players of all colors can break records without having to fear for their own lives and when people stop becoming incensed over such a trivial matter as color, perhaps then there will be true brotherhood.