Stealing Bases & Hearts

An excerpt from The Shadow League - 

‘Everybody Wanted To Play Like Man of Steal’: With Rickey Henderson Gone, Black Baseball Loses Another Legend Of Its Soul Patrol

by J.R. Gamble 

The greatest leadoff hitter in MLB history passed away on Friday at the age of 65. Rickey Henderson was the total package of speed, power and swag, influencing the styles of thousands of baseball players of future generations. 

While baseball’s all-time stolen base leader’s death came as a shock, a dagger even, to the baseball community, it’s also a reminder of how fragile life is and, as far as its impact on Black baseball, Henderson’s passing is a reminder of the African-American pioneers and titans of the game that have left this earth since Frank Robinson’s passing at the age of 83 in 2019. 

Not only the sport of baseball, but the culture, history and lineage of Black excellence in baseball, dating back to the Negro leagues, is lost with each passing of these game-changers. 

With the recent passing of MLB legend Rickey Henderson, six of the most influential figures
in the history of Black Baseball have passed away in the last five years (Photo: Getty Images)

               

Robinson was a vocal critic of baseball for not hiring more black managers. He was considered “controversial” 

for bringing light to baseball’s racial disparity in leadership positions. Robinson retired fourth on baseball’s all-time 

home run list and he earned every one of his 586 career bombs. 

https://youtu.be/rk1seRfX8Es?si=V4IK06OUlD-CkWuq

 

                

In 1968, Gibson posted a minuscule 1.12 ERA and then MLB lowered the mound because of his sheer dominance 

to return an advantage to the batters. Gibson is tied with CC Sabathia for the most wins (251) by a Black Ace 

and his blazing heater and head-hunter attitude became a standard for intimidating hurlers. There are only 

15 Black pitchers or “Black Aces” in the history of MLB. Gibson might be the best of them all.

https://youtu.be/Wf2-EGMzYPc?si=tTTwKhOcqPDaRX_L

               

In his 1976 memoir “Lou Brock: Stealing is My Game,” he explained his success. Take a “modest lead” 

and “stand perfectly still.” The pitcher was obligated to move, if only “to deliver the pitch.

https://youtu.be/6PAeGxG7hvo?si=JTVGjEwDEQTD_XIT