Last week I finished reading a great Satchel Paige biography. If you are interested in learning about one of the greatest baseball players in history, I would strongly recommend Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend.Some things that I never knew before I read this book:
- Satchel Paige played professional baseball for 40 years (1926 - 1966)
- Before the major league color barrier was broken in 1947, He frequently played on integrated teams in North Dakota & California
- He was easily the most popular player in Negro League history and was hurt and angry when Jackie Robinson beat him in breaking the Majors’ color barrier
- He and other KC Monarchs players claim Jackie Robinson wasn't even good enough to start on their team
- Satchel frequently violated his signed contracts and sold his services to the highest bidder. I guess you could say he was the first baseball "free agent"
- In 1971, when he was the First Negro leaguer inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, he became the only pitcher in the Hall that had career losing record in the majors (28-31)
The story of his life overflows with myth and legend, but nothing captures the fun of Satchel Paige better than his "Rules for Staying Young."
- Avoid fried meats which angry up the blood
- If your stomach disputes you, lie down and pacify it with cool thoughts
- Keep the juices flowing by jangling around gently as you move
- Go very light on the vices, such as carrying on in society — the social ramble ain't restful
- Avoid running at all times
- And don't look back — something might be gaining on you
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