Burt Saxon

Robin Roberts definitely belongs on the Baseball Stars of the 1940s and 1950s wall in my guest room.  But only recently did Roberts become a hero of mine.  I read that Roberts told the press he had nothing but respect for Jackie Robinson.  This came after Jackie Robinson entered the Phillies clubhouse on October 1, 1950 to congratulate the most racist team in baseball. Roberts had just pitched the Phillies to a victory over the Dodgers preventing a one game playoff. Speaking of Robinson’s graciousness, Roberts made it clear, “I could not have done that.”  And he later said, “I had more respect for Jackie than virtually anyone I played against. He was a helluva ballplayer and an even better man.”

(Incidentally, a superb African-American female broadcaster shares Robin Roberts’ name. Her father, she has said, was a big baseball fan and “secretly” named her after the pitcher.)

What I learned about Robin Roberts (the pitcher)piqued my interest in other White Supporters of Racial Equality.  There definitely were some.  And we need to know about them-- especially now.

It wasn't easy for Robinson when he broke baseball's color barrier in 1947.  Fans hurled slurs and sometimes objects at him.  Opposing players--and even some of his own teammates--were equally hostile.  One exception was the Dodgers' All Star shortstop.  Though raised in Kentucky, Pee Wee Reese famously embraced Robinson to quiet a nasty crowd in Cincinnati's Crosley Field. Years later Reese told Robinson, "You know I didn't go out of my way to be nice to you."

To which Robinson replied, "Pee Wee, maybe that's what I appreciated most." 

And so Pee Wee, too, occupies a place of honor on my wall.