Indianapolis has had the honor of being the birthplace or hometown of some of the greatest athletes.
These athletes made significant contributions to their sport, often blazing a trail for those who have followed. The passage of time may have removed their names from the headlines, and some of the records they set may have been surpassed, but they set a high standard for not only athleticism, but also qualities such as courage, decency and perseverance.
As Black History Month continues, the Recorder is sharing immortal words of wisdom from famous athletes with ties to the Circle City.
Hank Aaron
Claim to fame: As a right fielder with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-76) Aaron held the Major League Baseball (MLB) record for career home runs for 33 years, and still holds several MLB offensive records. He is the only player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least 15 times.
Indianapolis connection: Although born in Alabama, Aaron’s professional career began in 1951 when he was signed to the Indianapolis Clowns, a minor league team. At age 18, Aaron helped the Clowns win the 1952 Negro League World Series.
Words of Wisdom: “I had to break that (homerun) record. I had to do it for Jackie (Robinson) and my people and myself and for everybody who ever called me N*****.”
“The pitcher has got only a ball. I’ve got a bat. So the percentage in weapons is in my favor and I let the fellow with the ball do the fretting.”
“I’m hoping someday that some kid, Black or white, will hit more home runs than myself. Whoever it is, I’d be pulling for him.” (Note: No one ever has)
Latest news: The Braves are planning to honor the 40th anniversary of Aaron’s then-record 715th home run in a pregame ceremony before their home opener against the Mets on April 8. Aaron, who turned 80 this month, underwent successful partial left hip surgery recently after falling on some ice and is expected to make a full recovery.
Oscar Robertson
Claim to fame: Known as “The Big O,” Robertson, while playing professionally for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, was a 12-time All-Star, 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and one-time winner of the MVP award in 14 professional seasons. He is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season.
Indianapolis connection: Robertson grew up in Indianapolis and made history by leading the 1955 Crispus Attucks High School basketball team as it became the first African-American team to win an Indiana State Championship.
Words of wisdom: “When you play against different people from all walks of life you can’t do the same thing against every player defensively or offensively. You have to change up the way you go at a player.”
“When you go into a game on offense, you make a couple of moves and see what the defender is going to do. Then you pretty much can figure out what he is going to do against you whether he carries his hands low or high, whether he is bumping or pushing, those type of things.”
Latest news: Since last week, the TNT cable network and NBA-TV have aired “The Big O,” a one-hour profile of the NBA Hall of Famer as part of the NBA All-Star weekend. Robertson, 75, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his 1964 All-Star game MVP award (the second of his three), when he scored 26 points in the East’s 111-107 victory. During an interview, LeBron James revealed that Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Robertson would be the four faces representing the best of the best from NBA history on an imaginary NBA Mount Rushmore.
Wilma Rudolph
Claim to fame: Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games (Rome 1960).
Indianapolis connection: Following her retirement from athletics and a brief tenure as a teacher, Rudolph moved to Indianapolis, where she led a community center, hosted a television program and raised her children.
Words of Wisdom: “The triumph can’t be had without the struggle. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”
“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
Latest news: Rudolph died of cancer in 1994, but her legacy continues to provide inspiration. Recently, Fox Sports ran an online tribute to Rudolph, interviewing some of her teammates and describing her 1960 Olympic performance as “the most dominant performance anyone had ever seen in women’s track and field.”
Marshall “Major” Taylor
Claim to fame: As a cyclist representing the United States, Taylor won the world 1 mile (1.6 km) track cycling championship in 1899. In the process, Taylor set numerous records and inspired other minority athletes by overcoming racial discrimination. Taylor was the first African-American athlete to achieve the level of world champion and only the second Black man to win a world championship – after Canadian boxer George Dixon.
Indianapolis connection: Taylor was born on a farm in rural Indiana in 1878. He received his first bicycle at age 12, and worked for a local bicycle shop by performing stunts outside while wearing a soldier’s uniform, earning him the nickname “Major.” Taylor won his first race, an amateur event in Indianapolis, in 1891. Two years later, after beating a record set at the track, he was barred from returning because of his skin color.
Words of wisdom: “I would advise all youths aspiring to athletic fame or a professional career to practice clean living, fair play and good sportsmanship. Clean living is the cardinal principle in the lives of the world’s greatest athletes, as the phenomenal performances of these outstanding characters will obviously show.”
“Each great athlete must some day bow to that perennial old champion, Father Time, even as I, for time eventually wins.”
Latest news: After losing his fortune in bad investments and illness, Taylor died in 1932 at age 53. Today, cyclists can perfect their craft at the Major Taylor Velodrome, located at the Indy Cycloplex in Indianapolis. It is a cycling-dedicated public park, managed by neighboring Marian University and hosts many regional and national competitions each year, as well as training sessions, clinics, and open ride sessions.
