We trained in San Bernadinio, California, in 1953, and we had started to make our way
back north for the start of the season. We stopped off and checked into a hotel in Phoenix
to play the White Sox. Hal White and I had really enjoyed getting to know SATCHEL PAIGE
and I guess we just weren’t thinking about the racial situation in the world when we asked
him to dinner with us that night at THE FLAME RESTAURANT—-one of the best eating
places in the country. There had been black players in MLB for five years at that point,
but I guess regular society was a little slower in coming around.
“Man, I can’t go to no restuarants around here.” Satchel said.
“You can if your with us!” I said.
“Nope,” he said, “Believe me, I can’t.” And he was right. It turned out that he couldn’t
even eat at the cafe in the hotel. I couldn’t believe it…My gosh, HE WAS THE GREAT
SATCHEL PAIGE!
Well, Hal and I weren’t about to give up that easily. The “Flame” opened at 5:30 , but
we went in at about four o’clock to see what we could do.”We have a black player on
our team and we would like to have him join us for dinner right here,” we explained to
the manager.”Look, I’ve been a manager here for twenty years and there has never been
a black person walk through our front door,” he answered.
“This man is a fine gentleman,” I said. “You can put us over there,” pointing to a corner,
I said. “We just want to eat dinner.”
He finally agreed. I guess he thought that we might cause a ruckus unless he gave in.
Hal and I were elated and rushed back to the hotel to tell Satch. When we finally left
the hotel we were all dressed men of dignity in suits and ties with Satch looking better
than any of us. The manager was waiting for us and he led us to a table that was center
stage! He must have found out that it was the famous SATCHEL PAIGE that would grace
his restaurant walls.
Can you imagine what people were doing? Satch must have signed 250-300 autographs
in there, and the rest of us NOT A ONE! It’s a nite to remember for Satch because here
he was eating at this famous bistro and he hardly had a chance to take a bite!
After that nite Satch and I became close friends…SO CLOSE THAT I WOULD HAVE
TRUSTED THIS FINE GENTLEMAN WITH MY LIFE. By the way in 1953 I played for
the famous ST. LOUIS BROWNS (now the Orioles). virgil trucks
