(Source: mlb)
The story of the “color line” in baseball could be seen as the black experience in post-Civil War America writ small. Black baseball clubs first came to prominence after the Civil War, and the first all-black professional team, the Cuban Giants (so named by the owner to attract more white spectators), formed in 1885. The Negro Leagues soon followed, and by the 1920s, “blackball,” as it was called, had its own World Series, not to mention financial success. The slow, difficult and painful integration of professional baseball, which began shortly after World War II and continued into the 1960s, is symbolized for most Americans by the signing of Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers. But the cause — and the sport — had a great many less-sung heroes. An exhibition of 60 vintage baseball cards at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York (from which these images are drawn) tells their story, and should help tide fans over until the season starts again.
—Kolby Yarnell
(via sbnation)
MUST WATCH: Jeremy Lin + Madison Square Garden
This has got to be one of the Top 5 performances we’ll see all year long in the NBA.
Jeremy Lin is the the first Asian-American to play in the NBA since 1947. Of Taiwanese descent and a Harvard graduate, Lin was signed by the Golden State Warriors last year with much fanfare. After a rookie season with little chance to prove himself (he only played in 29 games), Lin was waived on the first day of training camp this past December.
The Houston Rockets promptly picked up Lin off waivers. Then promptly waived him too. The Knicks then claimed Lin, presumably as a roster spot. Head coach Mike D’Antoni, speaking about Lin, actually told reporters,
“If someone wakes up with a cold, he’s playing a lot. If not, then we’ll see.”
It wasn’t long before Lin earned the ignominious title as the “First Knick Ever Sent to the D-League.” There he played for the Erie Bayhawks, which isn’t exactly playing at MSG.
However, it wouldn’t be long before the Knicks needed some help at point guard, and with Mike D’Antoni on the hot seat to try something else, and the Knicks in a stretch of back-to-back games, Jeremy Lin got the call last night.
And what did he do with the opportunity? You have to watch the video.
Yes, it was one game. Yes, it was in Mike D’Antoni’s free-wheeling, point guard-driven offense that earned Steve Nash two league MVP awards (while never playing defense, ever). Yes, he was playing the New Jersey Nets, where Jordan Farmar has made a career out of making people look like Tiny Archibald. Yes, he’s Asian-American, and as a fellow Asian-American, I’m vicariously living through him. Yes, as a New York resident, I have a soft spot in my heart for Madison Square Garden and anyone who has the guts to perform there.
But c’mon. Listen to that place. MSG is the BEST. A lot of people shrivel under those lights. This kid came alive. Look at his face. That’s motion picture material. One game ago, the new Big Three Knicks fell apart against the Elderly Three Celtics. Their parts looked discombobulated. One night later, Jeremy Lin gives Tyson Chandler a role in the offense. He keeps Amare happy. And he gets to the cup.
I’m so happy for Jeremy Lin. I’m glad he got another chance, and I’m glad it came at Madison Square Garden. Those fans will never forget it.
And neither will Jeremy Lin.
Palo Alto’s finest. Dubs fans miss ya (sorta).
Can you feel the Love?
Lob City, rejoice! Bear witness to no false kings, for I am truly your king. The king of Love!
Kevin Durant’s Summer “Vacation”
From China to the Philippines, Rucker to D.C., Kevin Durant spent his long Summer stepping into the firmament of NBA superstars. Arguably the league’s best scorer at the ripe old age of 22, the extra reps weren’t as important to Durant’s rising celebrity. It was the barnstorming.
Of course, Durant couldn’t be the NBA’s future poster boy without the skills, but he seems to be taking care of that quite nicely, I might say. It was hitting the streets, visiting the playgrounds, and playing in the small gyms that have taken the Oklahoma City forward from NBA All-Star to the People’s Champ.
Every single person lucky enough to see the long frame of Kevin Durant stride onto their home court, strapped with uniform of backpack and headphones, is now invested in his future. Fact is, I care about Durant more after watching him battle a heckler at the NIKE Pro-City game I attended. That was the point of his global basketball tour (which isn’t even over yet).
Now, Kevin’s approachable. Relatable. He’s not just the guy on television. You’ve seen him in your hometown. You’ve watched him play for nothing. You see his passion.
Make no mistake about it: whenever the NBA comes back, you’re going to tune in to see Kevin Durant, you’re going to check the Thunder’s record, and you’re going to hope to see his truly unique game in person.
If you were lucky enough to catch him this past Summer, you may well end up telling your children you saw one of the greatest to ever lace them up, play the game he loves, not in some gigantic arena with tens of thousands, but up close and personal.
That’s what happens when you’re The People’s Champ.
(photos: kevindurant35.com I Michael Stargill)
