A humble man died recently in Cincinnati, leaving behind a quiet legacy of determination and a reminder of how far we’ve come, and how far we still have to go.
Even the casual baseball fan or history buff knows about Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s color line with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. We rightfully celebrate No. 42 each year. And most know about the triumph of the superstar African-American players who came after him – Larry Doby, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron and so many other great players.
But what about Bob Trice, Curt Roberts, Pumpsie Green and all the others who faced segregation, racial taunts and worse in pre-Civil Rights America?
Chuck Harmon was 94 when he died March 19. He was the first African-American to play for the Cincinnati Reds, breaking that team’s racial barrier in 1954. He was a good ballplayer, known as "The Glove" because of his ability to play multiple positions (first base, third base, shortstop and the outfield), and batting .238 with seven home runs in the majors from 1954 to 1957. He was proud of his role in baseball history, but that was only one dimension of his life.
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Born in Washington, Indiana, he led his high school basketball team to state titles two consecutive years, and landed a scholarship to the University of Toledo, where he was a member of the baseball and basketball teams. His college career was interrupted by World War II, and he served three years in the U.S. Navy. He spent seven years in the minor leagues, where he was a consistent .300 hitter, before his breakthrough.
Remember, at that time Cincinnati was the southernmost town in the country where Major League baseball was played. And the racial attitudes of the city at that point were decidedly southern. After Robinson, it took a dozen years for all teams to integrate. Cincinnati was one of the last teams to add an African-American player.
We all know about the abuse that was forced upon Robinson. Harmon also faced hatred and bigotry, including being arrested once in Alabama for being a black man trying to get a ride in a taxi cab, according to a story on redlegnation.com.
But his nephew, Tom Harmon of Columbus, said it didn’t turn his uncle into a bitter man.
“He was gracious and considered himself to be lucky and blessed,” Tom said. “He taught us about humility and working hard and persevering. At the end of the day, he just wanted to play ball.
“For a young African-American growing up in North Vernon in the ’50s and ’60s, to have an uncle who played major league baseball as a role model was important to me, because there weren’t many role models for young African-Americans.”
We’ll never really know the racial ugliness Chuck Harmon faced in his life, but we know he overcame it with grace and dignity and kindness, and we know struggles remain.
“The entire Reds family is saddened to lose one of its great ambassadors. The first African American to play for the Reds, Chuck Harmon was much more than a ballplayer,” Reds Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini said in a club statement. “He represents a pivot point in Reds history. Chuck’s positive attitude and disposition helped diffuse the adversity he faced, and set the tone for those following in his footsteps. He was beloved by his teammates during his career and remained a treasure to this franchise and its fans throughout his life. He will be missed.”
After his baseball career, Chuck operated a service station in Indianapolis and held other positions, and spent his final years cared for by his daughter Cheryl in Cincinnati.
Chuck’s story was told by Marty Pieratt in his book “First Black Red,” which includes an essay by Chuck himself. He ends it this way:
“Through the years, growing up in a small town in the Midwest, playing high school and college basketball, serving my country in the navy during World War II, playing the grand old game of baseball (and a role in the integration of) the major leagues, I have met people from all walks of life. It has been an experience beyond my wildest dreams. Only in America, thank God!”
Bob Gustin retired as editor of The Republic in 2011. He lives in Brown County with his wife Chris and three cats.
