Batter up!

JUST a little bit outside!

John Minor Wisdom was the Federal Judge.

Pee Wee Reese was the Baseball Player.

John Minor Wisdom

People hailed John Minor Wisdom as "a giant among federal judges during the tumultuous years that saw official segregation end in the South and civil rights at last extended to black Americans." After graduating from Washington and Lee University, Wisdom studied English literature at Harvard University. But a year later, he returned to his home state of New Orleans and attended Tulane University Law School. After graduating first in his class, Wisdom became an expert on trusts and played a large role in the adoption of the Louisiana trust code. He also served as adjunct professor at Tulane University law school from 1938 to 1957. In World War II, Wisdom served as a captain in the Army and, later, as lieutenant colonel in the Office of Legal Procurement. President Eisenhower appointed Wisdom to the 5th Circuit in 1957. With three other 5th Circuit judges, Wisdom formed the “The Four,” a coalition that pushed for black rights. “While the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was leading protests over racial inequality, Judge Wisdom and his fellow judges on the Fifth Circuit issued rulings forcing the South to abolish its segregated society.” Wisdom wrote landmark decisions in civil rights, admiralty, antitrust, evidence, and labor law cases. In 1993, Wisdom received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.

Pee Wee Reese

Although physically small, Harold Henry Reese was huge in terms of baseball prowess. In high school, Reese’s size kept him from a starting job on his school’s team. In one photo of a Louisville amateur team, Reese could be seen in the frame—but not in uniform, as he was the team’s batboy. He did eventually play on his high school team, but in very few games. He kept at it, however, and after primarily playing for a church team, his club won a Louisville city championship. His skills later caught the attention of the Dodgers, with whom he played his entire major league career. Teammate Jackie Robinson and Reese formed one of the best double-play combinations in baseball. Their Dodgers team went to seven pennants and a World Series title during Reese’s 16 seasons. As captain of the Dodgers, Reese was “known for calm leadership, sure-handed fielding and clutch hits.” On the field, the quiet Reese excelled at defense: the Hall of Famer led the National League in putouts four times, double plays twice, and fielding percentage and assists once each. In 1952, “Reese became the only National League player in the 20th century to safely reach base three times in one inning.” Many fans remember Reese’s friendship with Robinson. Reese had refused to sign a petition that threatened a player’s boycott if Robinson joined the Dodgers. And during one practice session, while Robinson took verbal abuse from the crowd, Reese walked from shortstop to first base and put his arm around Robinson, “a move that shocked … and silenced many.” A statute depicting that event now stands in front of a baseball park in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

CONTINUE WITH QUIZ

CORRECT!

John Minor Wisdom

People hailed John Minor Wisdom as "a giant among federal judges during the tumultuous years that saw official segregation end in the South and civil rights at last extended to black Americans." After graduating from Washington and Lee University, Wisdom studied English literature at Harvard University. But a year later, he returned to his home state of New Orleans and attended Tulane University Law School. After graduating first in his class, Wisdom became an expert on trusts and played a large role in the adoption of the Louisiana trust code. He also served as adjunct professor at Tulane University law school from 1938 to 1957. In World War II, Wisdom served as a captain in the Army and, later, as lieutenant colonel in the Office of Legal Procurement. President Eisenhower appointed Wisdom to the 5th Circuit in 1957. With three other 5th Circuit judges, Wisdom formed the “The Four,” a coalition that pushed for black rights. “While the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was leading protests over racial inequality, Judge Wisdom and his fellow judges on the Fifth Circuit issued rulings forcing the South to abolish its segregated society.” Wisdom wrote landmark decisions in civil rights, admiralty, antitrust, evidence, and labor law cases. In 1993, Wisdom received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.

Pee Wee Reese

Although physically small, Harold Henry Reese was huge in terms of baseball prowess. In high school, Reese’s size kept him from a starting job on his school’s team. In one photo of a Louisville amateur team, Reese could be seen in the frame—but not in uniform, as he was the team’s batboy. He did eventually play on his high school team, but in very few games. He kept at it, however, and after primarily playing for a church team, his club won a Louisville city championship. His skills later caught the attention of the Dodgers, with whom he played his entire major league career. Teammate Jackie Robinson and Reese formed one of the best double-play combinations in baseball. Their Dodgers team went to seven pennants and a World Series title during Reese’s 16 seasons. As captain of the Dodgers, Reese was “known for calm leadership, sure-handed fielding and clutch hits.” On the field, the quiet Reese excelled at defense: the Hall of Famer led the National League in putouts four times, double plays twice, and fielding percentage and assists once each. In 1952, “Reese became the only National League player in the 20th century to safely reach base three times in one inning.” Many fans remember Reese’s friendship with Robinson. Reese had refused to sign a petition that threatened a player’s boycott if Robinson joined the Dodgers. And during one practice session, while Robinson took verbal abuse from the crowd, Reese walked from shortstop to first base and put his arm around Robinson, “a move that shocked … and silenced many.” A statute depicting that event now stands in front of a baseball park in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

CONTINUE WITH QUIZ