I have to disagree, Wince. Buck O' Neil isn't a local treasure--he's a national treasure, and there will be a lot of "experts" who should hang their heads in shame for not voting him into Cooperstown while he's still alive and alert enough to enjoy it and give us a memorable acceptance speech.
McK
Anyone who has ever picked up a baseball knows Satchel Paige. It's in the DNA - along with an instinctive hatred for the DH rule and love of Yogi Berra.
I personally grew up on football but some of the best damn players my grandpa talks about are from the Negro league. I agree with M. Scott, they're a national treasure.
One of the great moments in Ken Burns' Baseball was Buck O' Neil describing--in a tone that expressed both delight and continued disbelief at what he had seen--a game in 1942 where Satchel Paige had intentionally walked the bases loaded with two out and a one run lead to face Josh Gibson (the greatest power hitter in the history of the Negro Leagues--picture a catcher who hit like Barry Bonds), and struck him out on three blinding fastballs. Sheer poetry.
Yours,
Wince
P.S. Has anyone ever heard of Satchel Paige ?
Anyone who has ever picked up a baseball knows Satchel Paige. It's in the DNA - along with an instinctive hatred for the DH rule and love of Yogi Berra.