March 21, 2007

Gripping Memories

The April 18, 1946, handshake between George “Shotgun” Shuba and Jackie Robinson marked the first known instance of an African American baseball player and a Caucasian player shaking hands on the playing field. The groundbreaking photograph later would be dubbed the “Handshake of the Century.”

For George “Shotgun” Shuba, the action was automatic. When his Montreal Royals teammate crossed home plate after sending a pitch soaring over the outfield fence, Shuba enthusiastically shook the man’s hand.

“About 10 photographers were there taking pictures,” Shuba recalls, “and the rest was history.”

The moment was significant because Shuba’s home run-hitting teammate was none other than baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Their handshake on April 18, 1946, marked the first known instance of an African American baseball player and a Caucasian player shaking hands on the playing field.

Although some cynics had expected Robinson’s teammates to give him the cold shoulder, Shuba never considered it.

“I just shook his hand. I didn’t think too much about it,” Shuba says. “If the truth be told, he was the best ballplayer on the club. I was just focused on beating the other team. I didn’t care if he was Technicolor, Jackie was my teammate.”

The Royals went on to defeat Jersey City, 14-1, that day, and the groundbreaking photograph of Shuba and Robinson later would be dubbed the “Handshake of the Century.”

More than 60 years later, Shuba, now age 82, remembers the moment as though it were yesterday. He has other vivid memories of Robinson as well, many from their time together with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

One of Shuba’s favorite stories shows the resiliency and grace with which Robinson helped to break down baseball’s color barrier.

The Dodgers were playing in Cincinnati, Shuba recalls, and Robinson had received yet another death threat.

“Jackie got a lot of letters,” Shuba says. “This time the letter said that if he reported for the game, he would be shot.”

Teammates rallied behind No. 42, suggesting that everyone wear Robinson’s number to help protect him.

“Jackie just smiled and said, ‘I think they’d still be able to pick me out,’ ” Shuba recalls with a laugh.

In addition to being teammates, both men also had their lives changed forever by their associations with Branch Rickey, a 1904 graduate who integrated Major League Baseball while president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey signed both men to their professional contracts.

Shuba still recalls Rickey’s powerful presence.

“He was a great speaker,” Shuba says. “And he could have been a great actor. He had such a commanding voice. He reminded me of Lionel Barrymore.” Barrymore, an Oscar-winning actor, appeared in such classic movies as “Treasure Island,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and “Key Largo.”

Shuba also has fond memories of Rickey’s son, Branch Rickey, Jr., whom Shuba remembers as “The Twig.” The younger Rickey graduated from Ohio Wesleyan in 1935, and his son, Branch B. Rickey III, graduated from the university in 1967.

On April 2, Shuba will visit Ohio Wesleyan to speak with students about his baseball career. Before he laid down his bat, Shuba would spend seven years in the major leagues and play in three World Series games. He is one of the Brooklyn Dodgers’ legendary “Boys of Summer.”

“Shotgun” Shuba, a nickname he earned for his power in the batter’s box, also is the oldest surviving member of the 1955 World Series championship team, the only Brooklyn team ever to win the series.

Shuba currently lives in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was born. He remains active, frequently speaking to students and others about the importance of tolerance and teamwork.

Shuba’s son, Mike, has learned both lessons well. He recently founded the George “Shotgun” Shuba Foundation to reach out to underprivileged children, providing hearing aids to kids in need. Mike Shuba decided to create the foundation after seeing the dramatic difference that hearing aids made in his father’s life.

While at Ohio Wesleyan, George and Mike Shuba will meet with the Battling Bishop baseball team at 4 p.m. at Littick Field. The event is open to the campus community.

For more information, about George Shuba, visit www.georgeshuba.com.

— Cole Hatcher