"I want everybody to understand that I am an American Negro first before I am a member of any politic..." — Jackie Robinson

My problem was my inability to spend much time at home. I thought my family was secure, so I went running around everyplace else. I guess I had more of an effect on other people's kids than I did my own.

I had practiced with the team, and the first scheduled game was with the University of Missouri. They made it quite clear to the Army that they would not play a team with a black player on it. Instead of telling me the truth, the Army gave me leave to go home.

It would make everything I worked for meaningless if baseball is integrated but political parties were segregated.

I have always been grateful to Colonel Longley. He proved to me that when people in authority take a stand, good can come out of it.