Honestly, of all the numbers that went through my mind during this little excursion down memory lane, #1 is among the easiest to choose. What’s strange about it is that is from a long time ago, and nobody else has made the #1 stand out like he did. Harold Peter Henry “Pee Wee” Reese had 4 names and a nickname he earned as a champion marbles player (a little marble is a pee wee). He was the Dodgers shortstop from 1940-1942 and 1946-1958. He won two World Series (55 & 59), he was a 10 time all-star, he helped win 7 NL championships, and he was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1984. In high school, Reese was so small that he did not play baseball until senior year, at which time he weighed only 120 pounds and played just six games as a second baseman. He was almost signed by the Red Sox, but ultimately went with the Dodgers.
Reese was a strong supporter and good friend of the first 20th century black Major League Baseball player, Jackie Robinson. He was serving a stint in the Navy when the news of Robinson's signing came. Although he had little or no experience interacting with minorities — according to Reese, his meeting Robinson marked the first time in his life that he had shaken hands with a black man — he had no particular prejudices, either. It is reported that his father had made him starkly aware of racial injustice by showing him a tree where a lynching had occurred. The modest Reese, who typically downplayed his pioneering role in helping to ease the breaking of the 60-year-old color line, said that his primary concern with regard to Robinson's arrival was the possibility of Reese losing his shortstop job. Robinson was assigned to play as the team's first baseman, and Reese retained his position.
Reese refused to sign a petition that threatened a boycott if Robinson joined the team. When a sportswriter asked Reese if he was threatened by Robinson taking his position of shortstop, Reese simply responded, "If he can take my job, he's entitled to it." When Robinson joined the Dodgers in 1947 and traveled with them during their first road trip, he was heckled by fans in Cincinnati, Ohio. During pre-game infield practice at Crosley Field (the then-home of the Cincinnati Reds), Reese, the captain of the team, went over to Robinson, engaged him in conversation, and put his arm around his shoulder in a gesture of support which silenced the crowd. This gesture is depicted in a bronze sculpture of Reese and Robinson, created by sculptor William Behrends, that was placed at MCU Park in Brooklyn and unveiled on November 1, 2005.
Well, friends, there it is. The countdown is over and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. It was great hearing the stories that came from all of you. I do have one more little email before I bid you all adieu. I will post one final blog about my education career, philosophy, and a goodbye to my students.
Thanks for playing, especially to Rolla who answered each and every number. I cannot wait for the next chapter of my life, and therefore #0 or #00 (aren’t they the same number?) is not needed. The countdown ends at 1. Scott was just going to suggest Robert Parrish anyway, but no Celtic was eligible for this countdown! I’ll see you all out at Scotch Pines Golf Course in my never ending battle to beat my wife. LOVE! LOVE!!
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