St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1948-05-28

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however, that his race will be no
problem in either Louisville or Kan
sas City.
Some fans pointed out that
Jackie Robinson was treated to
more verbal assaults in Syracuse
than in Baltimore. They think it
possible that some Northern cities
will be toughest on Campy.
Good Box Office
Campanella's biggest effect as a
precedent breaker, however, is ex-
pected to be at the box office. Fans
Of all races are sure to turn out in
cities across the league to see him
play.
Negro fans, with revived inter
est in Twin City baseball, are al
ready talking of being on hand
when the Saints return Memorial
day for a single game in Mime
apols, and the next day when the
Saints and Millers play two games
one in each city. The morning
game will be in St. Paul with the
afternoon game in Minneapolis.
Joe Hennessy, Pioneer Press
sports editor, pooh pOohs the idea
that racial animosities will de-
velop in regard to Campanella. He
reminded readers that Hickey had
shattered a precedent by playing
both Robinson and Campanella in !
Texas.
Had there been any i'll feeling
between the races it no doubt would
have been much more evident in
either Fort Worth or Dallas than
in St. Paul. There apparently was
none"
George Edmond, Dispatch sports
editor, wrote, Just as Jackie Rob
inson was welcomed by the fans
when he joined the Brooklyn club,
so will virtually all Saint fans wei
come the precedent-breaking addi-
ton of Campanella. The fact
that Louisville is in the American
Association presents no more prob
lem than Baltimore in the Inter
national. With Negroes now
playing in both major leagues and
all three triple A leagues, another
break down of race prejudice,
which got its greatest momentum
as a result of the war, has been
taken"
Like Jackie Robinson, he is at
all times unimpeachable in his con-
duct" wrote Halsey Hall of Campy.
The Minneapolis Tribune's Holy
Cow" then told the following an
ecdote which was told to him by
Claude Corbitt, Syracuse shortstop
of last year.
The first game he CCampanellaD
caught for Montreal | was lead-of
man. as usual, for Syracuse. | came
to the plate, all intent Of getting
on. Roy looked at me pleasantly,
smiled and said, Good evening, Mr..
Corbitt. And | hope you are well
this evening And honestly, | was
so overcome with such courtesy |
hit the first ball right back to the
pitcher"
Roger Rosenblum, Pioneer Press
sports writer. wrote:
The addition of Roy Campan-
ella, outstanding Negro catcher, to
the St. Paul roster is break in
more ways than one for the Saints.
The fact that it makes American
Association history is in itself not
important.
What is important is that fans
in Association territory will be able
to judge and accept a man for his
capabilities and his sportsmanship
without regard to color. This is
what responsible leaders have been
attempting to instill in fair-minded
citizens through the years-many
times with little success.
Men like Campanella and Jackie
Robinson have carried the burden
with much success. From here, its
up TO st. Paul and American Asso-
citation fandom to carry on in the
true tradition Of the American
sportsman"
At press time Campanella had
participated in four Saint games.
catching in three and serving as