We Can't Turn the Paige

[LouGehrig]

Baseball's Injustice to Paige:
Satchel's Great Career Was Over Before It Began

http://baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/baseballs_injustice_to_paige

[Proctor, CF]

Baseball's Injustice to Paige:
Satchel's Great Career Was Over Before It Began

http://baseball.suite101.com/article...stice_to_paige

An even greater injustice, if we don't recognize how truly great he was in his own realm. He was rightly a huge and highly respected star, earning more money I've read than even Joe DiMaggio - a factor also weighing against him in Rickey's decision process.

I personally think there were probably a number of better ball players than Robinson in the Negro Leagues - certainly historically. It was generous of Paige to comment so favorably on Robinson's baseball talent. I believe, though, he was more the right man at the right time than he was the best ballplayer among all Blacks. I'm sure the great stability, dignity and elegance his wife brought to the equation was a major factor in why he went up first. Paige was a better ball player, but timing and circumstances were against him - as they were for other great(er) players, like Charleston, Lloyd, Bell, Gibson, inter alia.