THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409250153
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Baseball
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star asked nine local baseball
people to score acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns' ``Baseball,'' appearing
on WHRO. Their comments will appear each day of the nine-part series,
an 18 1/2-hour work that traces the history of the sport - and of
America.
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
The Sixth Inning highlighted some of baseball's greatest players, like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson.
Robinson probably overcame more obstacles than any other player. There was far more to his struggle than I ever realized. Some of the things he had to do to play the game really touched me.
I also got a greater respect for Branch Rickey. He confronted the issue of blacks in baseball and did not back down from what he believed. He stood up to Judge Landis and the owners. Rickey said having blacks in the majors was good for baseball and good for America.
I was impressed with the overall makeup of DiMaggio. During his 56-game hitting streak he dealt with a lot of pressure. He exemplified some of the characteristics of the earlier players, overcoming adversity to succeed.
Best scene: When Jackie Robinson made his first appearance at Ebbetts Field.
Most interesting fact: During DiMaggio's streak, his bat was stolen after the 42nd game.
Weakest scene: None. I liked everything about it.
Score this one: (Strikeout, single, double, triple, home run)
Home run. Even though I am a baseball man, I learned a lot.
- MARTY MILLER ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
Photo
ABOUT TODAY'S REVIEWER
MARTY MILLER
Age: 47
Residence: Norfolk
Connection to baseball: Head baseball coach at Norfolk State
University since 1973.
Favorite team: New York Yankees
Most vivid baseball memory: The 1963 World Series when the Dodgers
swept the Yankees.
by CNB