Impressive athlete, love the bravado, yet trying to square the competitive athlete with the racist person...I don't look to my athletes for political opinions nor expect them to be role models (shush Charles Barkeley), but it you're going to crow about something, I'd say let it be your athletic accomplishments and not how you beat up black kids in your neighborhood...
Thanks for the comment Bill. Babe is a difficult person to like for sure but her athletic accomplishments were unparalleled. In addition to her racism she was an inveterate liar from the small (where she got her name, her age, etc.) to the large but understandable for the era (the love of her life was Betty Dodd, not her husband George Zaharias). She was also open about her cancer diagnosis and struggles at a time when the disease just wasn't talked about much.
Love it! Had to spend time researching Babe. Not an easy athlete to like by the standards of today. Sounds like she held on to those beliefs for life. Resistant to integrating professional golf when black players like Althea Gibson sought to compete, although years later she did play exhibition matches with Althea. Any proof she changed with the times?
Thanks Seth. I've read 3 biographies about Babe and haven't read anything to suggest she changed with the times. She was a "complicated" figure for sure: admired for her athleticism and candor regarding her cancer diagnosis at a time when it wasn't discussed; loathed for her cockiness, racism and penchant for lying (about her age, where her nickname came from, etc.).
Thanks Al. Love or loathe her, Babe was definitely a trailblazer. It's the common thread of my book--athletes who paved the way, many of whom are largely unknown by comparison.
Impressive athlete, love the bravado, yet trying to square the competitive athlete with the racist person...I don't look to my athletes for political opinions nor expect them to be role models (shush Charles Barkeley), but it you're going to crow about something, I'd say let it be your athletic accomplishments and not how you beat up black kids in your neighborhood...
Thanks for the comment Bill. Babe is a difficult person to like for sure but her athletic accomplishments were unparalleled. In addition to her racism she was an inveterate liar from the small (where she got her name, her age, etc.) to the large but understandable for the era (the love of her life was Betty Dodd, not her husband George Zaharias). She was also open about her cancer diagnosis and struggles at a time when the disease just wasn't talked about much.
She'd be HUGE today (with endorsements and stuff). She was ahead of her time, I think.
Another great take, I thought I knew all there was about Babe, my mother was a starry-eyed 13 yr old in 1932 and Babe was her hero.
Now I see why.
Love it! Had to spend time researching Babe. Not an easy athlete to like by the standards of today. Sounds like she held on to those beliefs for life. Resistant to integrating professional golf when black players like Althea Gibson sought to compete, although years later she did play exhibition matches with Althea. Any proof she changed with the times?
Thanks Seth. I've read 3 biographies about Babe and haven't read anything to suggest she changed with the times. She was a "complicated" figure for sure: admired for her athleticism and candor regarding her cancer diagnosis at a time when it wasn't discussed; loathed for her cockiness, racism and penchant for lying (about her age, where her nickname came from, etc.).
good stuff!!! what an incredible athlete, too bad about some of that texas baggage, but amazing accomplishments and someone who paved the way!
Thanks Al. Love or loathe her, Babe was definitely a trailblazer. It's the common thread of my book--athletes who paved the way, many of whom are largely unknown by comparison.