Today's African American fact from baseball "Golden Era" - Pumpsie Green

On July 21, 1959 when he entered the game against the Chicago White Sox in Comiskey Park as a pinch runner, Elijah “Pumpsie” Green became the first African American to play for the Boston Red Sox.  Twelve years after Jackie Robinson broke into Major League baseball, the Red Sox were the last Major League team pre-expansion (existing before 1969) to have an African American or Hispanic player on their roster.

Born on October 27, 1933 in Boley, Oklahoma, Green’s family moved to Richmond, California when he was eight years old where he became a three sport star (baseball, football, and basketball) in high school.  At 6’ and 175 pounds, he was a switch hitting shortstop that played baseball in junior college.  He was playing in the California League (Class C minor leagues) when signed by the Red Sox in 1955.  He made his Major League debut after four years in the team’s minor league system.

In his four years, 1959 – 1962) with the Red Sox Green was used as a utility infielder and outfielder.  In 1961, he played 69 games at shortstop and 41 at second base.  After the 1962 season, he was traded to the New York Mets.  After his one season with New York, Green played two more years in the minor leagues and then retired.

In 344 Major League games, Green batted .246 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs.

What son of a former Negro League player became the second African American to play for the Boston Red Sox in 1959?

Today's African American fact from baseball's "Golden Era" - Jackie Robinson

On October 24, 1972, Jackie Robinson died of heart failure.  He was 53 years old.  His death came just nine days after he performed the “first pitch” ceremony at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio before Game Two of the 1972 World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds.  Robinson at that time was suffering from severe Type II Diabetes.   He was blind in one eye, his body weakened physically.  The television audience and fans attending the game were shocked noticing Robinson looked like a much older man.

The deteriorating state of Robinson’s body at that time many believed was due more than to diabetes.  They believe it was also from the stress and pressure of carrying the burden of his race to succeed when he broke through Major League baseball’s color line beginning in 1947.  Robinson also had refrained especially his first few years in the Major Leagues from verbally or physically responding to the racial taunts and insults he encountered.   What was seen in Robinson that day in Cincinnati was to many the result of internalizing those strong feelings and emotions of being the first African American in the Major Leagues in the Twentieth Century.

Despite his declining physical condition, Robinson still displayed the courage and mental toughness he exhibited during his playing days.  In his speech on that clear fall day, Robinson was critical of Major League baseball for not having any African American team managers.   Even as he approached the end of his life, Robinson was still an advocate for African Americans; still pushing and stirring things up.  It would be two years in 1974, when Frank Robinson became the first African American Major League manager.

Jackie Robinson’s last public appearance, despite his illness, was a reflection of his the impact he had on baseball and on American society. 

Who was the pallbearer at Jackie Robinson’s funeral that was not a former baseball player?