The Yankees could have been racial pioneers along with their crosstown rivals, the Dodgers and Giants, and they could have landed the best center fielder ever.  But they ignored their scout’s advice to sign the great Willie Mays, and 13 months later the Giants nabbed him.  

That story, outlined in yesterday’s New York Times by John Klima, is as tragic as it is familiar.  The Red Sox had in for tryouts Jackie Robinson and two other Negro Leaguers before Branch Rickey signed Jackie, but the racist Sox were only doing it to appease an activist Boston city councilor.  And other Major League owners repeatedly hinted at plans to sign Satchel Paige and other great Negro Leaguers over the years, only to back out for lack of fortitude or resistance from fellow owners.