Judy G. Russell
February 27th, 2006, 03:14 PM
Effa Manley, owner of the Newark Eagles (a Negro League team from the '30s and '40s), fought for years to get athletes from the Negro League recognized by the Baseball Hall of Fame. She kept a scrapbook memorializing the careers of the best of them, and published a book ("Negro Baseball ... before Integration") arguing for inclusion of 73 players. She went on a letter-writing campaign seeking recognition for the league and its players.
Over the years her work paid off. In 1973, the Baseball Hall of Fame enshrined 11 players from the Negro Leagues, and in 1985 it added an exhibit on black baseball.
Today, her work paid off in a way I don't think she would have expected... but I think she would have enjoyed. Today, the Baseball Hall of Fame decided to honor Effa Manley herself. Along with 12 players and four other owners / managers, Effa Manley today was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
To say that Effa Manley was larger than life is probably to minimize her accomplishments. A civil rights activist and untiring fighter for the rights and interests of her players, Manley was a real character. One story has it that she insisted that the pitching rotation be changed for the Newark Eagles one day so a specific (and particularly attractive) young pitcher would pitch. Why? Effa was bringing her social club women to the game. Another story says she gave bunt signals to the players by crossing or uncrossing her legs. True or not, these stories and others are representative of her role with the team, with her players, with baseball itself.
It's about time, Baseball Hall of Fame. It's about time...
Over the years her work paid off. In 1973, the Baseball Hall of Fame enshrined 11 players from the Negro Leagues, and in 1985 it added an exhibit on black baseball.
Today, her work paid off in a way I don't think she would have expected... but I think she would have enjoyed. Today, the Baseball Hall of Fame decided to honor Effa Manley herself. Along with 12 players and four other owners / managers, Effa Manley today was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
To say that Effa Manley was larger than life is probably to minimize her accomplishments. A civil rights activist and untiring fighter for the rights and interests of her players, Manley was a real character. One story has it that she insisted that the pitching rotation be changed for the Newark Eagles one day so a specific (and particularly attractive) young pitcher would pitch. Why? Effa was bringing her social club women to the game. Another story says she gave bunt signals to the players by crossing or uncrossing her legs. True or not, these stories and others are representative of her role with the team, with her players, with baseball itself.
It's about time, Baseball Hall of Fame. It's about time...