Former Negro League stars returned to Rickwood Field, the house of the late Willie Mays’ skilled baseball debut, on Thursday night time to have a good time the historical past of the Black legends of the sport.
Reggie Jackson missed the Negro League period, however he did play minor league baseball on the legendary Birmingham, Alabama, subject.
Jackson suited up for the Birmingham Black Barons, which have been a minor league affiliate of the then Kansas City Athletics. And though it was after segregation ended, racism within the space had not.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
When talking with the MLB on FOX staff forward of the Giants-Cardinals recreation at Rickwood, Jackson mentioned it was “not straightforward” to return to the sector.
“The racism after I performed right here, the issue of going via totally different locations the place we traveled … I wouldn’t want it on anyone,” Jackson started earlier than sharing his harsh actuality.
“I might stroll into eating places, they might level at me and say ‘that n—– can’t eat right here.’ I might go to a resort, they usually’d say ‘that n—– can’t keep right here.’ We went to [former A’s owner] Charlie Finley’s nation membership for a welcome-home dinner, they usually pointed me out with the n-word, ‘he can’t are available right here …’
Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson takes the stage in the course of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 21, 2019, in Cooperstown, New York. (Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos by way of Getty Images)
JOHNNY BENCH RECALLS HILARIOUS INSTANCE OF WILLIE MAYS TRYING TO STEAL HIS SIGNS: ‘YOU GOT ME!’
“Had it not been for Rollie Fingers, Johnny McNamara, Dave Duncan, Joe and Sharron Rudy, I slept on their sofa three or 4 nights every week for a couple of month and a half. Finally, they threatened to burn our condo complicated down until I obtained out. I wouldn’t want it on anyone.”
Jackson went on to hit 563 residence runs in his eventual Hall of Fame profession, aptly incomes the title “Mr. October” due to his efficiency in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series when he hit three residence runs within the Yankees’ title-clincher towards the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Reggie Jackson carries out the World Series trophy throughout a ceremony honoring the 50-year reunion of the 1973 World Series champion Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on April 16, 2023, in Oakland, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Willie Mays’ son, Michael, addressed the group earlier than the sport, asking them to make as a lot noise as they may in order that his father may hear. Willie, an authentic Black Baron, died Tuesday at age 93.
The recreation may be seen on FOX.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle e-newsletter.
