Sam Hairston was the strong, silent type. Not one to complain or rebel, Hairston, a Crawford native, endured the discrimination and systematic racism which followed him into major league baseball in 1951.
That”s not to say he was unaffected by the hatred aimed his way. But he was playing for more than his salary. And he was playing for more than his pride.
Jackie Robinson had crossed the color line four years prior, in 1947. Hairston, the 14th minority player to make the jump from the Negro and Latin leagues, was part of the second or third wave of non-whites to reach the majors. The integration of baseball was well under way. But considering the racial climate in America outside of baseball, Hairston wasn”t about to risk ruining a good thing for his race.
“You have to realize, this was before the civil rights movement. This was before Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., in 1954,” said Negro League historian Larry Lester. “Sam Hairston was one of these pioneers who broke down the color barrier before it was popular. He made it easier for people like Dr. Martin Luther King and Joseph Lowery and Ralph Abernathy who came after him.”
Lester, a full-time, professional historian who has written seven books on the Negro Leagues and is prepping his eighth for publication, arrived in Columbus on Tuesday. He traveled from Kansas City, Mo., to be on hand for a four-day celebration of Hairston”s achievements and his Lowndes County roots.
He believes Hairston and his fellow minorities in the major leagues set the stage, to some degree, for racial integration in America. Hairston, says Lester, played his role by serving as a positive ambassador for his race.
“His personality set him apart. He had the attitude of ”Treat people how you want to be treated.” And he had a very comforting personality. Very soothing voice, never loud, never overly opinionated. He was like a grandfather who could give you quality advice without sounding condescending or disparaging,” said Lester.
While Hairston wasn”t under the same glaring scrutiny Robinson experienced years prior, he and all his minority peers were still under the microscope. And one wrong move could have had major repercussions.
“If he had lost his temper or didn”t do the right thing, he might have set integration back in this country,” said Lester. “He was part of a group of men who paved the way without protest or anger. There was a time to show, on the field, what you”re capable of doing without protesting why you”re not able to eat with your teammates and travel with your teammates.”
Despite playing just five games for the Chicago White Sox, Hairston remained with the organization for almost 50 years. He spent 10 of those as a player in the minor leagues before transitioning to a scout.
Lester isn”t sure why Hairston didn”t last longer on the White Sox squad. In five at-bats he batted .400 before being shipped to the minors.
But it”s not like he couldn”t play.
During his last year in the Negro Leagues, Hairston was the league”s Most Valuable Player, held the batting title and led the league in home runs and runs batted in. Soon after his tenure as the White Sox” first black player, Hairston was named MVP of the Western League in 1953.
And he could catch.
“He was an outstanding catcher. He was revered by pitchers as a catcher they could pitch to,” said Lester.
Hairston”s baseball pedigree has never been in question. As a scout, he recruited his own son, Jerry Hairston Sr. and another of his sons, John Hairston, also played in the major leagues. Two of his grandsons, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Scott Hairston, currently play in Major League Baseball.
The five Hairstons to play in the major leagues are the most ever from one family.
Hairston is a revered baseball player for obvious reasons. But his greatest legacy may be his quiet resolve.
“Sam was cut from that cloth where you didn”t show your anger. You showed respect, but you asked for respect in return,” said Lester. “Pretty soon that kind of rubbed off on people.”
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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