Marty Pieratt

First Black Red: Hall of Fame Edition Marty Pieratt

Chuck Harmon's life story symbolizes and transcends our country's struggle for civil rights and equality. From his humble beginnings as one of the 12 children of Sherman and Rosa Harmon in Southern Indiana, to the pressure of a death threat as a Cincinnati player in New York City, this gentlemen big leaguer is an example of those African American pioneers who helped make a mockery of hate and injustice with integrity, decency, and iron will. From the stories of an early meeting with Babe Ruth, to rooting for his beloved Cincinnati Reds today, Chuck Harmon's compelling life adventure symbolizes all that is good about America's pastime and its oldest professional franchise, the Cincinnati Reds. His great-great grandfathers fought and died for freedom in the Civil War. Less than 100 years later, Chuck Harmon was still fighting for justice-not with a gun and bayonet, but with a golden glove and hot bat. Chuck Harmon is proud to be called Cincinnati's First Black Red. This book is an important look at the parallel benchmarks in baseball and civil rights. Chuck Harmon is one of the quiet patriots who helped make America truly a country where all men and women should expect to be treated equally.