As we huddle around television sets or laptop computers to watch and cheer on the skilled athletes from all across the globe participating in the 2024 Summer Olympics, we are amazed. Did you know when and where the first Olympic Games were held? No? Well, let me tell you.
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. 241 athletes from 14 countries participated. Over a century later, such infamous US athletes as Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens, Mark Spitz, Katie Ledecky, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Jim Thorpe, and the list goes on, were awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals for their excellent athleticism.
Two infamous athletes, although not Olympic winners, are referenced in Seasons Under the Sun. One is Joe Louis, a boxing legend, and the other, Babe Ruth, a name synonymous with baseball. I would like to take this time to expound on their careers and contributions to their sport.
In the first chapter, Paddy or Patrick, teases his older brother Clayton about imitating his baseball hero, Babe Ruth. George Herman Ruth, Jr., was born in Baltimore February 6, 1895. Having watched Ruth play less than an hour, Jack Dunn, the owner of the Baltimore Orioles was so impressed, he offered Ruth a contract. Ruth was only 19 and to complete the contract, Jack Dunn became Ruth’s legal guardian. The Oriole players referred to him as “Jack’s newest babe.” Babe Ruth’s name and career began. Also, nicknamed the Bambino and the Sultan of Swing. Babe Ruth’s contract was later sold to the Boston Red Sox. Babe was a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Ruth’s batting displayed great power, hitting 29 homeruns in 1919, so he was moved to the outfield to be on the batting lineup on a daily basis. On December 26, 1919, Babe was sold to the New York Yankees. In 1920, he bested his homerun record by 54 homeruns and continued to break his own high homerun record in 1921 with 59. The Yankees had never won a title of any kind, but with Babe Ruth, Earle Combs, Mark Koening, Lou Gehrig, Bob Meusel, and Tony Lazzeri, the NY Yankees captured seven pennants and won four World Series Titles. When the Yankees moved to their new stadium in 1923, it was appropriately dubbed “The House that Ruth Built.”
On June 13, 1948, Babe’s jersey #3 was retired by the Yankees. Ruth lost his battle with cancer on August 16, 1948. Babe Ruth remains the greatest figure in major league baseball and one of the icons in American history.
**********
Another iconic athlete is mentioned in chapter four when seven-year-old Eddie is explaining to his dad why he and his best friend got into a fight over who was portraying “the Brown Bomber.” Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914-April 12, 1981) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1934-1951. Louis is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time. In fact, after Louis died, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stated, “Whatever I said before, I don’t mean it, ’cause Joe Louis was the greatest.”
Barrow was born in Chambers County, Alabama, in a ramshackle dwelling and was the seventh of eight children. In 1926, the Louis family moved to Detroit, Michigan, after being frightened by a gang from the Ku Klux Klan. Joe attended a vocational school to learn to build cabinets but took time to attend a youth recreation center. His mother wanted him to play the violin. But his love was boxing, and it is rumored Joe carried his boxing gloves inside the violin case.
Joe made his debut at the age of 17. Before the fight began, the barely literate Louis wrote his name so large on the contract that there was not space enough for his last name. Thus, he became known simply as “Joe Louis” for the remainder of his career. Louis reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949. Louis has won the most world heavyweight title fights in history.
One of Louis’s other passions was the game of golf. Louis was invited to play as an amateur in the San Diego Open in 1952. The PGA of America was reluctant to let him play as their bylaws held strictly to Caucasians only. Louis’s celebrity status pushed the PGA toward removing that particular bylaw. The PGA’s constitution was not formally amended until 1961, paving the way for the first generation of African American professional golfers.
Joe Louis died of cardiac arrest in 1981. President Ronald Reagan waived the eligibility rules for burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Louis was buried there with full military honors.
***************
Whether you are an athlete yourself or just like to applaud the accomplishments of others, there is much to be said for the spirit of competition and teamwork. As of this writing, the US Olympic teams have been awarded 30 medals…5 gold, 13 silver, and 12 bronze. Go USA!
July 31, 2024