[Mick]

I was raised by my grandmother in a segregated housing project in Warren, Ohio in the 1930s while my mother worked multiple jobs. I graduated from Warren G. Harding High School and was both President and Salutatorian of my class. Because I was African American, the principal ended the school's tradition of the class president dancing with the prom queen.

I stayed in-state to attend Hiram College from 1953 to 1955, choosing the school because of its pre-med program. In both high school and college, I lettered in baseball, basketball and football. 

I tried out for Leo Durocher, manager of the Giants, who agreed that I could return to college each year after playing minor league ball. In 1955, I was good enough to concentrate on baseball full time and was called up to the Giants in 1956. I hit a home run in my first major league at bat, hit 22 home runs, seven triples and 23 doubles that year. I led the NL in putouts, attempts, Rtot and range factor for first basemen.

Like Willie Mays, I spent most of the next two years in the Army. Unlike Willie Mays, I was traded to the Cardinals, where I made eight All-Star teams and won seven Gold Gloves. I received MVP votes from 1962 through 1964 and in 1966. I had over 100 RBIs four times and finished in the top ten in stolen bases three times.

I was a broadcaster for the Phillies and was the first African-American to broadcast NHL games. I was the first regular black play-by-play announcer for a major league sports team when I joined the Yankees broadcast team from 1971 to 1988, usually with Phil Rizzuto and Frank Messer. In 1989, I was elected President of the National League to replace Bart Giamatti in a unanimous vote of the owners.

Who am I, and why did the Giants trade me?

[Mick]

I was raised by my grandmother in a segregated housing project in Warren, Ohio in the 1930s while my mother worked multiple jobs. I graduated from Warren G. Harding High School and was both President and Salutatorian of my class. Because I was African American, the principal ended the school's tradition of the class president dancing with the prom queen.

I stayed in-state to attend Hiram College from 1953 to 1955, choosing the school because of its pre-med program. In both high school and college, I lettered in baseball, basketball and football. 

I tried out for Leo Durocher, manager of the Giants, who agreed that I could return to college each year after playing minor league ball. In 1955, I was good enough to concentrate on baseball full time and was called up to the Giants in 1956. I hit a home run in my first major league at bat, hit 22 home runs, seven triples and 23 doubles that year. I led the NL in putouts, attempts, Rtot and range factor for first basemen.

Like Willie Mays, I spent most of the next two years in the Army. Unlike Willie Mays, I was traded to the Cardinals, where I made eight All-Star teams and won seven Gold Gloves. I received MVP votes from 1962 through 1964 and in 1966. I had over 100 RBIs four times and finished in the top ten in stolen bases three times.

I was a broadcaster for the Phillies and was the first African-American to broadcast NHL games. I was the first regular black play-by-play announcer for a major league sports team when I joined the Yankees broadcast team from 1971 to 1988, usually with Phil Rizzuto and Frank Messer. In 1989, I was elected President of the National League to replace Bart Giamatti in a unanimous vote of the owners.

Who am I, and why did the Giants trade me?