GOOD WILL AMBASSADORS

The accomplishments of African Americans to our culture, and indeed to the world, are vast (and too numerous for me to scribe about on my small soapbox of sports!).  Since Distant Replays is mainly about vintage sports, I’ve decided to focus on some of the most inspirational African-American athletes, teams, and sports moments that altered the course of history for the betterment of all.  To celebrate Black History Month, Distant Replays is offering 25% OFF all t-shirts featured in this TOP TEN list.  Just enter the Code BHM25 at checkout (The sale will end Wednesday, 3/3/10, at midnite eastern standard time)!

Here then is the list (I invite you to add your own Top Ten list in the comment section at the end of this post if you so desire, because I know there are literally thousands of memorable moments!):

10. Moses “Fleet” Walker – Many people don’t realize that Mr. Walker was credited with being the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. After starring for the University of Michigan in 1882, Walker officially became a Major Leaguer when he played catcher for the Toledo Blue Stockings of the American Association.  In 1889, African-Americans were officialy banned from the Major Leagues.

A"MAYS"ING

9. Willie Mays - The “Say Hey” kid was a mere 16 years old when he starred for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues.  Willie had a short stint with the Minneapolis Millers where he scorched pitchers for a .477  batting average before being called up to the Major leagues’ New York Giants.  The 24-time Major League Baseball All-Star would rewrite the record books, including becoming the first African-American to be awarded the Gold Glove for fielding prowess.

8. Harlem Globetrotters - Since 1926, the Globetrotters have entertained fans in over 20,000 games in 118 countries.  Meadowlark Lemon, Curly Neal, Geese Ausbie, Goose Tatum, Marques Haynes, and even Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain, are just a few of the players who will all be remembered for their extraordinary basketball skills, and their message of joy and goodwill to the world.

7. John Mitchell - It’s quite unbelievable to know that an African-American player did not play for Paul “Bear” Bryant’s storied Alabama Crimson Tide, unti John Mitchell suited up for them in 1971?!  Sad, but true.  John Mitchell parlayed his 2-time All-SEC career into an extremely long & successful coaching career that currently finds him as the Pittsburgh Steelers Assistant Head Coach in the NFL.

MOON SHOTS

6. Warren Moon -  Overt racism ran rampant when it came to the position of quarterback in the NFL in the 60’s and 70’s.  When the NFL turned their back on the rifle-armed quarterback who led Washington to a Rose Bowl victory over heavily favored Michigan in 1978, Warren Moon simply went north to Canada and led the Edmonton Eskimos to an unprecedented 5 consecutive Grey Cups.  Moon made it back to the NFL and then some.  He remains the only player in  history to be elected to both the Canadian and NFL Halls of Fame.

5. Grant Fuhr -  On his way to 5 Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, 6 NHL All-Star appearances, and being named on the Hockey News 100 Greatest Hockey Players of all-time list, Grant Fuhr became the first African-American to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (2003).

BARKSDALE BEGINNINGS

4. Don Barksdale – Barksdale comes in First place for “Firsts!”  Playing center for UCLA, he was the first African-American to be named an all-consensus All-American in 1947.  In 1948 he was the first African-American to play on the U.S. Olympic basketball team, and the first to win a Gold medal.  He became the first African-American to appear in an NBA All-Star game in 1953 while with the Baltimore Bullets.

3. John Thompson – The legendary coach of the Georgetown Hoyas had a career record of 596-239.  He coached equally legendary players in Allen Iverson and the big man who led him to his first and only National Championship victory in 1984, Patrick Ewing.  Thompson was the first African-American to win a major college National Championship.

2. Texas Western - (The school changed it’s name in 1967 to University of Texas El Paso, or UTEP)  The racial barriers in intercollegiate basketball came tumbling down, and were changed forever by the Miners 1966 National Championship team.  The all African-American starting 5 for the Miners defeated the all-white starting 5 for the Kentucky Wildcats.  A small note of irony is that legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp, who lost this game, was the one-time 1948 U.S. Olympic assistant coach and closest friend to Don Barksdale at the time (see # 4).  Barksdale was not allowed to stay in the same hotel as his white counterparts when they scrimmaged in Lexington, Kentucky in 1948.

JACKIE HAD HEART

1. Jackie Robinson – The 4-sport athlete from UCLA , Kansas City Monarch, LA Bulldog, and Montreal Royal broke the modern era baseball color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.  Robinson’s legacy for Civil Rights worldwide is simply immeasurable.

Obviously this is the tiniest top-ten tip of the iceberg when it comes to the most important accomplishments of African-Americans in Sports History.  If you have some you’d like to share, I’d love to see your comments.