When the Grass Was Real

Cool Papa Bell's Grave

1. Finding the tension: As we transition from the early days of baseball into pre-integration days, there's a tension that exists in the game. There's the national pastime. There's the glory, the heroes, the sentimentality for the era. At the same time, there is the harsh reality of segregation. The struggle for non-white players to make a living and find success. Looking closely at Cool Papa Bell's oral narrative, where can you find this tension? How does he respond to it? Deal with it? What are we to think of this tension?

2. What do you think is the most fantastic detail of Cool Papa's playing career? And why do you think so? Detail could be on or off the field.