History Lesson…A Dying Love
June 30, 2008 @ 12:02 p.m. by jlongBy J. Long
Flipping through the page’s of Clifford Normore’s photo album was the perfect finishing touch.
Hopefully you got a chance to check out my story from Sunday, “Playing on a Different Field,” looking at the declining rate of blacks in youth baseball. While I’ve already shared my thoughts about this subject (here) there’s something that I didn’t get a chance to really get into. The historical value of blacks in baseball.
I’m not a history buff, but one of the byproducts of baseball losing black youth is that the the struggles and successes of the pioneers who came before them could ultimately be forgotten. I grew up playing baseball. I loved playing it the moment I stepped on the field at five. However, I didn’t love the game until about the age of 12. I fell in love after learning the plight that people of color and those that helped them had to endure just to swing a bat at a little white ball.
I truly believe that you can’t have love for something until you sit back and take the time to appreciate what that object of admiration has been through.
That’s why after spending all that time out in neighborhood centers and on the phone with so many people it was Mr. Normore’s photo album that gave me that unique feeling. The type of feeling you get from listening to your favorite old-school jam or seeing a show you used to plan your life around. Seeing all of those black kids on the diamond in his pictures reminded me of the love I once had and brought to my attention that its up to me to help others discover that love.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:23 am
Two black baseball pioneers were Wichitans Bob Thurman and Bob Boyd. They are deceased now however they played baseball in the Negro Leagues and then in the majors. Bob Thurman played with the Cincinnati Reds and Bob Boyd played with the Chicago White Sox in the 1950s and 60s. Both of them also played in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Both of their widows still live in Wichita.
One of Bob Boyd’s grandsons played baseball in high school and college and his great grandson plays summer ball and will eventually play in high school.
Bob Thurman and Bob Boyd endured racism and other things just to play ball because they loved the game.
I have learned to appreciate their accomplishments and the historical contributions they made and I will make sure they will not be forgotten.
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July 1st, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Thats why I love basketball. I’m glad Heinrich has been able to tough it out.
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