Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Time to honor Satchel Paige

Time to honor Satchel Paige

Sep 16, 2008 - 04:05:19 CDT

By LeROY C. WALKER
Bismarck

I really enjoyed reading the letter by Darrel Dorgan, especially his remarks about Satchel Paige.

I have appeared twice before the Bismarck Park Board to ask for support for simply naming the Ball Park in honor of this great baseball player. The last time that I appeared before the Park Board to support Satchel Paige, President Paul Quist said that he hoped to find some money in next year’s budget that could be used to honor Satchel Paige.

Now is the time to do this, as I hear rumors that there is a movie in the works about the Bismarck Baseball Team managed by Neil Churchill in the 1930’s. This was the period when he hired Satchel Paige and others to play. That baseball team went to a national tournament and that Bismarck baseball team, a 150 to 1 long shot, took first place in the nation.

I also believe that this was the very first racially integrated baseball in the nation. Let’s get going and give Satchel Paige a very small part of recognition for his enormous talent, his engaging manner, and his unbeatable place in Bismarck history.

News > Opinion

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Comments

David wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:45 PM:

" Hey lagree,

Your grandfather played for this team!? Who was it? I am a huge fan of the history of the game, especially the Bismarck Churchill's. Do you have any mementos from the team, or pictures for that matter?

email me at david.m.herrmann@gmail.com i would love to hear more.

I woul "

Bono wrote on Sep 16, 2008 6:48 PM:

" Well then I think we should name the new bridge the "Lawrence Welk Memorial Bridge".

Satchel WHO? "

CPO wrote on Sep 16, 2008 1:56 PM:

" Also what's up with Angie Dickinson - she made it big and never came back. Her picture is hanging in our Roughrider Hall of Fame because the governor thought she was someone... and not one of them have thought of hanging Virgil Hill's picture there. "

To warmachine wrote on Sep 16, 2008 12:01 PM:

" Then by the same logic we should do away with all references, monuments, staues, and place names that reference Lewis and Clark. They were in ND for only one winter, passing through. They traded with the Indians and wrote a report for Jefferson. As for Sakakawea, she was just some poor Indian girl who happened to be married to a French trapper and wanted to go home. We named an entire lake after her. Why bother to honor any of them by your logic? Satchel Paige was in Bismarck about the same length of time and played baseball. Among his list of accomplishments was breaking of the color barrier in sports. A pioneer of sorts like Lewis and Clark. Why not honor him as we do them? "

warmachine wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:27 AM:

" One year, in 1934, on the Bismarck Independent league does not make anyone worthy of note. "

Iagree wrote on Sep 16, 2008 10:15 AM:

" I totally agree. My grandfather was also a part of this team and he use to say how when Satchel pitched and the ball slammed into his catchers mit that his hand stung from the force. Grandpa was one of the few who would agree to catch for Satchel because of the speed and force of his throws. Grandpa also use to say how he was a great guy and was happy to have known him. Let's recognize this mans place in Bismarck's and North Dakota's history. "

W wrote on Sep 16, 2008 7:21 AM:

" Excuse me, but why would you want to name a ball park in Bismarck, ND after somebody that isn't even from this state? "

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