A Soulful Journey

Joe Gordon was one of the greatest second baseman in baseball history. In 1947 he was at its prime when he played for the Cleveland Indians. In that same year Larry Doby came to play for Cleveland, the first black rookie to join an American League team. Doby was tense and nervous when he stepped up for his first time at bat. He swung at three pitches missed each of them-by at least a foot. He walked back to the dugout with his head down, walked past every other player on the bench and slouched in the corner alone with his head in his hands. Joe Gordon, a power hitter, was up next.  The opposing pitcher that day was one that Gordon usually blasted out of the park. But this time, Joe Gordon went up to the plate and missed three pictures in a row-each of them by at least 2 feet. He returned to the dugout, walked past every other player on the bench, sat down in the corner next to Larry Doby and put his head in his hands.    No one ever asked Joe Gord...