Friday, February 24, 2006
Thought for the day
"If you didn't know how old you was, how old would you be?"
--Satchel Paige (1906-1982)
Who's Satchel Paige?
At the age of fifty-nine, Satchel Paige became the oldest player in the major leagues. He is also believed to be one of the best pitchers in baseball. Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was born on July 7, 1906. He earned his nickname, Satchel, when he was a young boy carrying bags (and satchels) at railroad stations for passengers.
Initially barred from the major leagues because he was African-American, Paige played in what was referred to as "the Negro Leagues." Paige's pitching took the Kansas City Monarchs to five Negro American League pennants. Paige got his chance to play in the major leagues as a Cleveland Indian in 1948 - one year after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball and went to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
