Embedded Files
A Tribute to Black Athletes
In Honor of the Legendary Hank Aaron
CLICK HERE to read what Hank Aaron meant to Mr. Di Iorio.
CLICK HERE to read what Hank Aaron meant to Mr. Di Iorio.
In the steroid era of baseball, we all saw people cheat in order to achieve greatness. The desire to be the best clouded their achievements. Hank Aaron not only achieved greatness without unfair advantages, he showed humility in his accomplishments, as seen through the quote: "I'm hoping someday that some kid, black or white, will hit more home runs than myself. Whoever it is, I'd be pulling for him."
CLICK HERE to read what Hank Aaron meant to Mr. Cancalosi.
CLICK HERE to read what Hank Aaron meant to Mr. Cancalosi.
Henry Aaron was my favorite player growing up. Whenever I could I wore his uniform # 44 when I played or coached. His run at overtaking Babe Ruth’s Homerun record was captivating. Hammerin Hank's real legacy was how he helped young players integrate. He taught them how to act but more importantly how not to react.
Artifacts from the Collections of Mr. C.
Backyard Connections to the Negro League
Bought to you by Paterson's Mayor Andre Sayegh
FL Message from Mayor André Sayegh.mp4Black History in Baseball
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Collections and Reflections by Mr. C.
Mr. Cancalosi: I am a big collector. I collect the plaques from the Hall of Fame. My basement is like the Sports Hall of Fame.
Mr. Cancalosi: The Baseball Hall of Fame member started the process of integration by bringing Jackie Robinson into Major League Baseball. To me, Jackie Robinson was selected because of his athletic ability but more importantly because of his ability to ignore brutal racial slurs by not fighting back. Obviously, Jackie Robinson was a great player. Jackie Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro League. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. After his passing his wife, Rachel Robinson, had the last line added to his plaque. Jackie was so proud to have that line on while he was alive. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Mr. Cancalosi: His daughter, Sharon Robinson, signed a few photos for me at a sports conference. Her legacy is very important to me, and it is the closest to ever having Jackie sign it. She was very hospitable and extremely nice. She was honored to sign both pieces.
Mr. Cancalosi: The following were the three other candidates to be considered before Jackie Robinson was selected:
Mr. Cancalosi: Monte Irvin, Roy Campanella, and Satchel Paige could of all been the first black athlete to be selected first to go to the Major Leagues. Monte was not selected because he just returned from the war and was out of shape. Campy was a catcher, and they were afraid he would get too banged up. Satchel was too old but extremely fast. His running joke was that he was so fast by the time he shut off his nightlight he would already be in bed under the covers snoring before the light went out!
Mr. Cancalosi: Larry Doby was the first Black American to play in the American League. He lived a part of his life in Paterson, NJ. Larry Doby played for the Newark Eagles in the Negro League and has his own postage stamp.
Mr. Cancalosi: Larry Doby has his own postage stamp.
Mr. Cancalosi:
Josh Gibbon was called the “Black Babe Ruth” of the Negro League. He is the only player to have hit a home run entirely out of Yankee stadium.
Elston Howard was the Yankees' first black player. It took the team 10 years to integrate.
Pumpsie Green was the Boston Red Sox's first black player. It took the team 12 years to integrate.
Name the Homerun Hitters
Athletic Tribute by Susan Burek
Black History in Hockey
Mr. Bonafede, Fair Lawn Cutters Hockey Coach:
I absolutely love this story. Willie O'Ree and his accomplishments provide us with so many incredible life lessons. The "Memories" video above quotes one of the Boston Bruins players saying, "He was accepted very well. He was a player and that was it. He was treated the same way as anybody else." Practicing this value of acceptance in our daily lives is so crucial as we search for equality in society. Willie O'Ree was faced with so much adversity as he chased his dream. He is a true example of inspiration, sacrifice, and kindness. His legacy continues as his dedication to our sport spreads the message that "Hockey is for everyone."
A Tribute to Black Jockeys and Trainers
Bauman's Beautiful Bonds
Ms. Bauman: Cullen Jones was the second Black American to win a gold medal at the Olympics in swimming. I've met him (twice; see attached picture). He is a 'Jersey boy' and now is an amazing, articulate ambassador for the (still lamentable) lack of diversity in competitive swimming.
Photo Credit:
Hank Aaron quote: Marquette University (attribution included)
New York Black Yankees picture: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/new-york-black-yankees-1932-1948/
When baseball led America: yogiberramuseum.org
All of the baseball cards and artifacts: Tom Cancalosi
Cullen Jones: picture courtesy of Jennifer Bauman
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