Integrating the Orioles

Baseball and Race in Baltimore

Nonfiction, Sports, Baseball, History, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, African-American Studies
Cover of the book Integrating the Orioles by Bob Luke, McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Bob Luke ISBN: 9781476623023
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Publication: February 5, 2016
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Bob Luke
ISBN: 9781476623023
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication: February 5, 2016
Imprint:
Language: English

The struggle to integrate the Baltimore Orioles mirrored the fight for civil rights in Baltimore. The Orioles debuted in 1954, the same year the Supreme Court struck down public school segregation. As Baltimore experienced demonstrations, white flight and a 1968 riot, team integration came slowly. Black players—mostly outfielders—made cameo appearances as black fans stayed away in droves. The breakthrough came in 1966, with the arrival of a more enlightened owner, and African American superstar Frank Robinson. As more black players filled the roster, the Orioles dominated the American League from 1969 through much of the 1970s and into the early 1980s. Attempts to integrate the team’s executive suite were less successful. While black players generally did not participate in civil rights actions, several under Robinson’s leadership pushed for front office jobs for former black players. Drawing on primary sources and interviews with former executives, players and sportswriters, this book tells the story of the integration of the Orioles. The author describes how tensions between community leaders and team officials aborted negotiations to both increase black attendance and put an African American in the club’s executive ranks.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The struggle to integrate the Baltimore Orioles mirrored the fight for civil rights in Baltimore. The Orioles debuted in 1954, the same year the Supreme Court struck down public school segregation. As Baltimore experienced demonstrations, white flight and a 1968 riot, team integration came slowly. Black players—mostly outfielders—made cameo appearances as black fans stayed away in droves. The breakthrough came in 1966, with the arrival of a more enlightened owner, and African American superstar Frank Robinson. As more black players filled the roster, the Orioles dominated the American League from 1969 through much of the 1970s and into the early 1980s. Attempts to integrate the team’s executive suite were less successful. While black players generally did not participate in civil rights actions, several under Robinson’s leadership pushed for front office jobs for former black players. Drawing on primary sources and interviews with former executives, players and sportswriters, this book tells the story of the integration of the Orioles. The author describes how tensions between community leaders and team officials aborted negotiations to both increase black attendance and put an African American in the club’s executive ranks.

More books from McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

Cover of the book A Soldier Gone to Sea by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Conjoined Twins by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Up from the Vault by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Bunco Artists in Richmond, 1870-1920 by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Paper Dolls by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Alone, Unarmed and Unafraid by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Richard Wright by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Harpo Marx as Trickster by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Elie Wiesel and the Art of Storytelling by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Whoopi Goldberg on Stage and Screen by Bob Luke
Cover of the book Muses India by Bob Luke
Cover of the book The Chinese Information War by Bob Luke
Cover of the book The Easter Monday Baseball Game by Bob Luke
Cover of the book African Colonial Prisoners of the Germans by Bob Luke
Cover of the book My Avatar, My Self by Bob Luke
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy