By Doug Smith Courtesy of the Niagara Gazette So just how equal were opportunities in Jackie Robinson’s America? Consider this: Three years after he broke baseball’s “color barrier,” Hollywood made a movie of his life, so far. Not one black actor was considered appropriate for the role. Robinson played himself, and quite well, with Ruby Dee as … [Read more...] about 42
Other
42
Base Paths chance encounter with Phil Plantier
Courtesy of the Niagara Gazette By Doug Smith A chance encounter in the rain gave Base Paths a peak into the heart of Purple Eagle baseball, Niagara University’s under-appreciated stepchild. Under the eaves of the pressbox at Cornell University’s Hoy Field, he figured out that his fellow refugees were Californians. “What, don’t we have local accents?” the woman said. … [Read more...] about Base Paths chance encounter with Phil Plantier
Base Paths and ten baseball movies of those struggling for acceptance
By Doug Smith Courtesy of The Niagara Gazette More than 120 motion pictures, dating back nearly 100 years, have centered on baseball. Here’s a lineup of 10, listed alphabetically,which focused on “outsiders’” struggling to find acceptance: “The Bad News Bears,” 1976, Walter Matthau rallying a band of ragamuffins nobody else wants. Later … [Read more...] about Base Paths and ten baseball movies of those struggling for acceptance
Taking offense to Jack Taylor’s offensive milestone
By Joe Manganiello Everyone grew up with the kid that never learned how to pass the ball. In pick-up games during grade school, nobody wanted to end up on that guy’s team because they knew it wouldn’t be any fun. In high school, “that guy” would almost be good enough for the school team, but he would inexplicably get into a yelling match with the varsity coach during … [Read more...] about Taking offense to Jack Taylor’s offensive milestone
Peter Jennings, Howard Cosell, Walter Cronkite and Bryan Paul’s puzzling NFL predictions: Week 5
By Captain Clarky On Oct. 8, 1921, KDKA (AM) in Pittsburgh, Pa. presented the first college football game radio broadcast between the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University. Broadcasting and football formed a prosperous marriage that day. According to SB Nation, National Football League teams received $322,000 in broadcasting revenue in … [Read more...] about Peter Jennings, Howard Cosell, Walter Cronkite and Bryan Paul’s puzzling NFL predictions: Week 5