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During a recent trip to Georgia, I thought a lot about the life and times of two American heroes, Lee Elder and Hank Aaron. And I was struck by the way people there were just able to celebrate the accomplishments of one man – and how they are being denied the ability to do the same for the other.
Now 86, Elder served as an honorary starter for the 2021 Masters with his good friends and old rivals, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. It was Augusta National’s way of paying tribute to the first Black man to play in that tournament, in 1975.
“Lee Elder … blazed a trail that inspired the game of golf and future generations of players,” said club chairman Fred Ridley as he stood on the first tee that morning.
“Today, Lee Elder will inspire us and make history once more,” he continued. “Not with a drive but with his presence, strength and character. Lee, it is my privilege to say, ‘You have the honors.’ ”
Elder’s health was such that he was unable to hit a golf ball. But he held his driver in the air as those in the gallery applauded.
On the balcony of the clubhouse, white-jacketed members of the Augusta National wait staff watched the ceremony. Looking at them, it was easy to recall a similarly emotional scene when Elder teed off in his first Masters all those decades ago, when club workers came out to witness that historic moment.
In speaking to reporters after his latest trip to the first tee at Augusta, Elder described the morning as “one of the most emotional experiences of my life and something that I will cherish.”
“My heart is very soft,” he added.
A few days later, I traveled to Atlanta to visit my sister, Sissy, and her family. One evening, we ventured to Truist Park for an Atlanta Braves baseball game. And on our way to our seats, I passed by a statue of Aaron. He had broken Babe Ruth’s seemingly untouchable home run record in spring 1974, almost a year to the day before Elder competed in his first Masters. Like the golfer, Aaron also endured hate mail, death threats and other racist attacks during his quest.
"One of the most emotional experiences of my life and something that I will cherish. "
Lee Elder
Aaron died in his adopted home of Atlanta in January. The Braves staged a memorial service for him at their home ballpark soon after and no doubt planned to honor him and his remarkable legacy when the stadium was scheduled to host this year’s All-Star Game.
But as controversy enveloped last month’s passage of a new voting law in Georgia, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred decided to move the game to Denver, Colorado. Sadly, that denies the people of Atlanta the chance to fete a man they came to love and admire – and who deserved the greatest of send-offs in the city where he made history – with all eyes in the baseball world on their city. The Braves will not be able to remind the greater baseball world just how special was.
I am delighted that Lee Elder had his moment during the Masters. I just wish Atlanta could have done the same thing for Hammerin’ Hank at the Midsummer Classic.
E-MAIL JOHN
John Steinbreder