Bob Watson Pioneer

Bob Watson: First African American General Manger To Win World Series
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

The New York Yankees, arguably sports most successful organization and baseball’s best in winning the most World Series titles (27) has never really been a model when it comes to their treatment of African American players. In fact, they were one of the last teams to add a black player when catcher Elston Howard was signed in 1955. Howard had the unenviable task of backing up Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. When his career ended, Howard hit .274, 167 hr, 762 rbi and was the 1963 American League Most Valuable Player. Howard was a 12 time All Star. Not many black players followed in his footsteps. There was second baseman Horace Clark and pitcher Al Downing (most notably know for giving up Hank Aaron’s 715th home run). The best African American player to ever don the pinstripes (before Derek Jeter) was a guy named Reginald Martinez Jackson signed as a free agent from the Baltimore Orioles where he played for only one year after leading the Oakland Athletics to three straight World Series titles. Jackson, known as “Mr. October” for his postseason heroics, took New York and the baseball world by storm. The Yankees made it to the World Series in 1976 only to get swept by the mighty Cincinnati Reds. Jackson was an integral part as the team won World Series title the next two years proving that he was the “straw that stirs the drink.” 

 

Owner George Steinbrenner, frustrated the team failed to make the playoffs in 1979 (the year in which Thurman Munson died in a airplane crash) went out and signed Dave Winfield from the San Diego Padres. The team went to the World Series in 1981 only to lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Steinbrenner dubbing Winfield “Mr. April” as Winfield only had one hit in 22 at-bats. Before his career with the Yankees was over, the saga involving Steinbrenner, Winfield and Howie Spira would be front and back page fodder for the rest of his Yankees career. It resulted in then commissioner Fay Vincent initially banning Steinbrenner for life which was reduced to two years. Said Vincent, “it was a pretty sordid and very unattractive story of George trying to destroy Dave Winfield. It was not Steinbrenner at his best.”

 

Both Jackson and Winfield would continue their careers elsewhere. Jackson came back as a member of the Angels and hit a home run at Yankee Stadium against Ron Guidry. Winfield would win a World Series with Toronto driving in the wining runs as the Yankees doldrums continued.

 

Winfield Felt the Wrath of Steinbrenner
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

 

Their fortunes would turn as Steinbrenner hired Bob Watson who played for the team for three years (1980-1982) as General Manager. Managed by Buck Showalter the team made the playoffs after a long drought in 1995 only to lose to Seattle in 5 games. Steinbrenner gave Buck his walking papers and hired Joe Torre (recommended by Watson) the following year. The Yankees would win their first World Series since 1978. Integral African American players players included Dwight Golden, Charlie Hayes (he caught the last out of the 1996 World Series), Darryl Strawberry, Cecil Fiedler, Gerald Williams and then rookie Derek Jeter.

 

 

 

  

Bob Watson put that roster together and watched as the team would win the World Series three years in a row (1998-2000) after he moved on with Brian Cashman taking over. The team has one only one World Series since his Watson’s departure. 

 

There have been other notable African Americans that have been on the Bronx Bombers roster. Roy White, Oscar Gamble, Mickey (Gozzle Head) Rivers, Willie Randolph, (third base, bench coach and manager of the New York Mets) Chili Davis and Hall of Farmer Tim (Rock) Raines.  

 

Bob Watson passed away last Friday at the age of 74. He was the first African American General Manager to win a World Series title. Current General Manager Brian Cashman issued a statement in part saying, “Bob was a gentle giant. He was an incredibly kind person and a mentor who l looked up to and admired. He shared his wealth of experience and deep knowledge of the game freely and with everyone he came in contact with and l was one of those beneficiaries.”

 

Major league sports, particularly baseball, basketball and football’s inclusion of African Americans in leadership roles continue to struggle. Football continues to make excuses when it comes to black quarterbacks. Baseball and basketball recycle individuals in the dugouts, sidelines and front office. Bob Watson was given a chance by a tyrant owner and quietly did something no other African American had ever done. “He was a mentor,” said Randolph who as popular as he was, was never considered or offered the manager’s position by Steinbrenner. “A lot of people don’t realize what a great player Bob Watson was.”