The Omaha guide., 1946-03-09

sports following or not, will be on the Negro this spring
and summer mainly because Negro athletes will occunv The
spotlight.
Already the wheels have started turning to wheel the first
big Negro subject on the scene in the person OF Jackie Rob.
Inson and Long John Wright, who by the time YOU read
this, will be going through their first PAGES as full fledged
aspirants for places on minor league teams in organized
baseball down at Daytona Beach, Fla.
Then along will come June with its heavyweight champ
ionship fight here in New York involving a woric Idol-Joe
Louis, and Billy Conn.
June % and 90 will focus the spotlight on San Antonio.
Texas, where for the first time in history, Negroes will be
given the permission to compete in a National AAJ outdoor
track and field championship on a basis of equality in a
state in the Deepest part of the Deep South.
Yes, Negro Baseball Has Its Role
Meanwhile, Negro Baseball, which in spite of itself, has
produced a Jackie Robinson and a John Wright, will be
launching another season in its series Of seasons. and the
eyes 0 fthe baseball and other sports worlds will DE on it
as never before to see if there are other Robinsons and
Wrights around who might be good candidates for minor
and major league berths.
Perhaps, L am unkind in saying that Negro Baseball has
produced Robinson and Wright in spite of itsen and cIar-
ificaton is undoubtedly due on that point. What am
pointing at is the inability of organized Negro baseball to
see the glorious possibilities it has in being the source of
players who can be gwen the chance to get into the big show
The bitter opposition over the years by some OF the OPP
orators in Negro Baseball to the advancement OF their play
ers from the strictly racial moulds in which they IL born,
has played not a small part in the failure Of other major
league owners and officials to follow the example set BY
Branch Hickey of the Dodgers in signing up Robinson and
Wright. Negro Baseball must open its eyes and be re
%sponsible for the transfer, sale or entry of future Negro
players into the Big Leagues.
There is no doubt that Negro Baseball fsces its most
prosperous year in 1916. A glance at what is going on a.
mong the white major and minor league clubs viii furnish
a clue as to what can be expected at the box office for Ne
gro baseball attractions. Ii the seasons prospects will
only stimulate Negro operators to take a different view Of
the situatin and of their role in it, 1916 will be a milestone
wear in che history Of the Negro in nrOfessionaI snorts
Louis Us. COnn-Dama of Big Boys
Louis vs.. Conn marks the return Of the Big Boys to the
boxing scene. For the duration of the war, the sports
world has been awaiting this one fight. 1t is the ultimate
in ring entertainment and the character Of Louis is a par
ticular reason for pride on the part Of the race with which
he is identified.
Predictions are already being made on every side as to
the outcome. Fed doubt THAT Louis will deposit Conn in
the Land Of Nod as he has done most of his other foemen,
especially in return encounters.
What is outstanding about this fight, however, is the
spectacle of a 81 year old Louis engaging in VIVA, may be
the swan song of his spectacular career. There are some
who think that Louis may get enough money GU. of this
fight, plus huge sums frol investment programs and other
deals being cooked up by Mike Jacobs to be in a position to
quit the ring for good with the title or make a defense Of
his crown but once a year until he is ready to renounce it.
Whatever turns out, the fact remains, however, that Louis
and Conn, a Negro and a white fighter, will make history in
1916.
background Of the AAU Controversy
The AAU Championships in Texas are involved in a ma
tiOnwide controversy oper whether Negroes OF northern
cities should go South to compete in face of the record of
segregation and discrimination Down There to which their
people have been subjected ever since the Union was form
ed.
Those who favor participation point out thai 20 close a
door newly opened without entering it is bad politics and
that to run away from a battle is cowardice.
Those for a boycott of the meet advance the excuse that
it has already been proven that Negroes can run and jump
and that no purpose will be served by our top runners and
jumpers going South to show their talents to White south
erners who have never seen Negro stars compete against