The Severed Cortex

Link: http://www.sho.com/site/schedules/product_page.do?seriesid=0&episodeid=123753

Everyone knows who Jackie Robinson was. Almost no one outside of baseball knows the name Larry Doby. Larry's distinction from Jackie Robinson is that he became the 2nd black player to play in the major leagues, having the unmitigated gall of doing the same thing 11 weeks later. Jackie played in the National League while Larry Doby played in the American League. While I certainly do not mean to diminish the achievements and struggles that Jackie Robinson went through, he and his family have certainly been paid back for his efforts. Larry Doby on the other hand has quietly done the same thing with little fanfare until recently.
While I knew who Larry Doby was and what his significance to baseball is, I didn't know much more than that about him. I heard an interview with Larry Doby, Jr. this morning on MLB.com and was so impressed with him and the story of his father that I had to learn more. Larry, Jr. was asked whether his father told him about all the death threats and racial tension he had to endure, and Larry, Jr. said his father only talked about those who were kind to him. I thought that was one of the most honorable things I had heard about someone. Most of us would dwell on the bad, especially if you weren't getting any recognition for your efforts. One of the reasons Jackie Robinson was the 1st black player is because he was smart enough to realize what he was about to endure and what the significance of his actions were for America. Major League Baseball was wise enough to realize that the public wasn't going to warm up to the idea of integrated baseball with players of the Albert Belle or Carl Everett ilk. It was going to take a special player. Just as Jackie Robinson was that perfect player, so apparently was Larry Doby.
If you have Showtime, check out the documentary and let me know what you think. Otherwise I'll just have to wait for the DVD release.