Evanston: Satchel Paige: “Don’t look back”
Evanston: Satchel Paige: “Don’t look back”
I was watching a White Sox game on television a few days ago when I heard a new Satchel Paige story.
I expect that those of you outside the United States and Canada may not have heard of Satchel Paige, who was one of the greatest baseball pitchers of all time. Some would say the greatest.
He was a black man born in 1906 and therefore played most of his career in what was known as the Negro League. In 1948 he was finally permitted to play in what we call the Major Leagues, and at 42 became the oldest “rookie” ever at an age when almost all players are long retired.
Sometimes I despair of America, such as now when I read that 18% of the population believes that Barack Obama is a Muslim, but I regain some slight hope when I consider the differences in how minorities are treated now than they were when I was born.
In addition to being a great pitcher, Satchel Paige is the source of many good stories and quotes. Perhaps the best is: “Don’t look back---something might be gaining on you.”
The story I heard yesterday was told by the announcer, Hawk Harrelson, who said that he once interviewed Satchel Paige. He asked Mr. Paige, who was known for the pin-point control of his pitches, if it was true that he warmed up by pitching over a chewing gum wrapper. Satchel replied that yes it was true, and that he worked both sides of that wrapper.
My favorite Satchel Paige story is told by Willie Mays.
I’ve seen slightly different versions of this, but they all agree on the essential facts about when Willie Mays as a teen ager faced Satchel Paige, who was then in his forties.
On his first at bat, Satchel Paige threw Willie Mays a curve ball, which Willie hit off the fence for a double.
When he came to bat the second time, Satchel Paige called to him, “Boy, this time there be no foolin’, and then you sit down.”
Willie Mays turned to the catcher and asked, “What does he mean?”
The catcher told him, “He’s going to throw you three fast balls. Nothing else.”
With the arrogance of youth and the confidence of his own great athletic ability, Willie Mays thought he could hit any pitcher alive.
As Willie Mays tells the story, three fast balls came. He swung three times. He missed three times. And Satchel Paige walked off the mound for the dugout before the third pitch crossed home plate.
Thursday, August 19, 2010