Baseball has always been a sport that most closely represents the best – and worst -- of American culture. Those who have played it, write about it, or follow the game for the
sheer pleasure of it, constantly refer to the history of the game.
They use those recollections to convey their love of the game or
expertise in the intricacies of baseball, to others.
It's also a generational link for many families, who share their passion for the game across the decades, and pass it along.
However, the history of the Great American Pastime can also be used to educate fans about one of the most important eras in baseball history; the Negro Leagues.
Nelson (pictured left, photo courtesy of Appel Public Relations) was in New York City this past week, appearing live at Mickey Mantle's Restaurant for an informal reading with students from area schools. He graciously agreed to an interview before the event, sitting down for a one-on-one chat. (You will be able to hear the entire, uncut version of this interview on the Feb. 8 broadcast of “Live From Mickey Mantle's” on Gotham Sports Radio).
While Nelson, an illustrator of about 20 books, including “MOSES: When Harriet Tubman Led her People to Freedom,” and “He's Got the Whole World in His Hands,” he seemed surprised by the amount of people that were strolling in to attend the event.
That feeling might have been matched by the moment someone suggested that he write a book, because Nelson, prior to WE ARE THE SHIP, had never before added the task of writing to his immense artistic talent. Well, if his first effort is any indication, there's going to be plenty of publishers fighting over him very soon.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Negro Leagues and their legacy, perhaps a more popular cultural reference would come in handy to capture the essence describe this book properly, one must first remember the words of Terrence Mann (the character James Earl Jones played in Field of Dreams):
"The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and what could be again."
Nelson chose a collective, first-person narrative as the voice for his book, and when combined with the sheer beauty of his illustrations (Low and Away, below), creates a perfect marriage of words and pictures for the reader.
Nelson spoke of his inspiration for “WE ARE THE SHIP” as we began our interview, and as I listened, began to understand perfectly just how inspired he must have been.
“I became acquainted with -- and fell in love with -- the history of Negro League baseball after watching Buck O'Neill share his experiences on Ken Burns' Baseball”, Nelson said. “I was commissioned to do a painting (to celebrate the Negro Leagues), and after hearing Buck's testimony, it grew into three and four, then six then 20 paintings.”
It was only a matter of time before someone suggested that he, Nelson, write a book about the whole process. During what would become a seven-year journey, he grew to befriend O' Neill. The relationship, he said, became so strong that he dedicated the book to his mentor.
As the idea grew into an actual manuscript, and as Nelson began to breath life into his illustrations, a transition from a textbook-style work (the original title of the book was supposed to be “The Golden Age of Negro League Baseball”) into the masterpiece it now is, took place.
One of the most amazing things I have ever seen in any book of this genre is the centerfold of WE ARE THE SHIP, which at first glance is a replica ticket from the “FIRST COLORED WORLD SERIES” in 1924. However, as the ticket unfolds, it transforms into a huge painting of the entire squads of that series' participants, the Kansas City Monarchs and the Hillsdale Club.
Yes, it is as astonishing to the eye as it sounds.
The book's foreword is written by the immortal Hank Aaron, who many forget played with the Negro League's Indianapolis Clowns for a brief period before joining the Boston Braves in 1952. The text is is accompanied (of course) by a breathtaking painting of the Hall of Famer.
“When I read these stories and look at the artwork,” writes Aaron, “I m flooded by memories of years past and grateful for Kadir's approach to the subject.”
To those that played it, to those who write about it, and to those who follow the game for the sheer pleasure of it, WE ARE THE SHIP is a must-read. Frankly, a precious gift to everyone who loves the great game of baseball.
***
One of the greatest pleasures I've had during my career is getting the opportunity to interview some of baseball's greatest players. Hall of Famers like Duke Snider, Gary Carter and Ernie Harwell have allowed me to put much of the game that I cover today in historical perspective.
However, as each of those interviews represented a milestone in my own endeavors, the greatest of these was my interview – conducted last summer -- with the aforementioned Buck O' Neil.
I've written about this interview before, but until recently, was unable to master the technology (stop laughing) to present it to my readership. I recently presented the highlights of this interview on Gotham Sports Radio, and hope that all of you enjoy listening to the program.
In short, I've been pretty adamant on the idea that he should have been inducted into the Hall of Fame before he died. The following interlude contains some excerpts from a column I wrote right after his non-selection, and a few weeks before I get the chance to interview him.
"He's absolutely my role model. You watch him mingle with the people and see the smiles he brings to peoples' faces. He's planting lasting memories in peoples' minds. What greater gift can you give to people and all it takes is your time. He's a role model for all of us." - Kevin Seitzer on Buck O'Neil
Those elegant words by former major leaguer Kevin Seitzer should be etched in bronze and hung outside the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. They should also be read aloud by Ernie Banks, Lou Brock and Billy Williams on the day that O'Neill is finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
How long will we have to wait?
As a player, O'Neil was a two-time Negro League All-Star and won two Negro Leagues batting titles as a first baseman.
As a manager, he led the Kansas City Monarchs to five pennants and two titles.
As a scout for the Chicago Cubs, he just happened to discover a couple of fellas named Brock and Banks. Shortly thereafter, he became the first African-American ever hired to coach in the major league team.
Since then, in addition to his serving as the unofficial ambassador of baseball to people of all ages, he found the time to serve on the 18-member HOF Veterans Committee from 1981 to 2000 and was instrumental in the induction of eight Negro League players during that time.
Sounds like a Hall of Fame resume to me.
Younger fans will remember O'Neil as the most captivating presence in Ken Burns' documentary Baseball, and until his death was the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum's chairman. His absence from the Hall of Fame is as unjust as that of any other individual that creates debate, and frankly, more time should be spent on the merits of his induction.
***
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Baseball has always been a sport that most closely represents the best – and worst -- of American culture. Those who have played it, write about it, or follow the game for the
sheer pleasure of it, constantly refer to the history of the game.
They use those recollections to convey their love of the game or
expertise in the intricacies of baseball, to others.
Nelson (pictured left, photo courtesy of Appel Public Relations) was in New York City this past week, appearing live at 
However, as each of those interviews represented a milestone in my own endeavors, the greatest of these was my interview – conducted last summer -- with the aforementioned Buck O' Neil.