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Passed away in Phoenix, Az
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RE: Joe Black
[updated:LAST EDITED ON May-18-02 AT 07:59 AM (EDT)]Thanks for bringing us the news. It's sad that he is no longer with us (at least not on this side of the veil), although cancer is an agonizing illness and he is now out of his suffering.
I am too young to have seen Joe Black play, but I've known his story for a long time, as he is the subject of one of the best chapters of The Boys Of Summer. We are lucky to have had him with us, as a player and as a man.
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RE: Joe Black
I am new to the Brooklyn Dodgers and Joe Black for that matter. I read he was rookie of the year in the early 50's. What was the significance of JB to the Brooklyn Dodgers and beyond. I hope this type of post is not too simple and in line(beyond?!?!?!?). thanks.
NT
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RE: Joe Black
It is sad to read of Joe Black's passing. He was a very friendly and helpful guy at shows and always signed by mail if you made a donation to BAT or the Jackie Robinson Foundation. I think he was on the Board of one or both.
For more on him, see JOE BLACK 1952, column in this forum, only a few down from this one.
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RE: Joe Black
He was a terrific pitcher for one year, 1952, and the Dodgers could not have won the pennant without him. He also proved to be an effective starting pitcher in the World Series, and I think we all agree that the Dodgers should have won the World Series in 1952! Damn it! How could Stengel leave in the game a lefthander--a wild lefthander--to face Jackie Robinson? And it worked. Black was a wonderful pitcher in 1952. And I am glad that his life off the field was successful.
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Joe Black
Joe Black was not only a great baseball player and human being, he was a great teacher. (If not the best I had, even including university and graduate school.) Mr. Black was one of the most influential people in my life.
Before moving on to Arizona, he was my physical education and health teacher at Hubbard Jr. High School in Plainfield, New Jersey. In our health class, he spoke about all kinds of social issues too. It was like Oprah before there was an Oprah Winfrey. Talking about "empowerment" when no one ever used the word. When Mr. Black spoke, everybody listened and I mean everyone.
Mr. Black taught us to always be the best at what we did. He would say, “If you are going to be a doctor, be the best doctor. If you are going to be an airplane pilot, be the best airplane pilot. If you are going to be a ditch digger, be the best ditch digger. No matter what your dream is, try to be the best at what you do.” (This was 1960/1961 ) ! Everyone always listened to Mr. Black and I mean everyone. He was always respectfully held in high esteem.
When I worked with kids in Boulder, Colorado, NYC, and in Plainfield, New Jersey, I tried to empower and encourage everyone with Mr. Black's lessons in life. As a teacher in Japan, the last 14 years, I have more than often shared his lessons with my (Japanese) students. And this year (2007), for sure, everyone will hear about Mr. Joe Black and get his lessons through me, especially my baseball players.
I last spoke to him when I was a student at Colorado University.
And I'm not just talking, I practice kendo (Japanese fencing) with the prefectural police!
Thanks Mr. Black!Comment
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As I read this news early on Good Friday morning, I'm reminded of the mortality that we all confront. I'm also happy that Joe's suffering is ended.
Emerald City's post about the fine man that Joe was and the inspiration that he gave his students in Plainfield, NJ remind us all of the good that ballplayers can do for others, especially youngsters.
He'll always be a part of 55 Sullivan Place, ballpark or not.
May God rest his soul.Comment
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