Monte Irvin - I was all-state in four sports in New Jersey, but sometimes I couldn't get

I was all-state in four sports in New Jersey, but sometimes I couldn't get served at a restaurant two blocks from my high school. There were no job opportunities then... the only thing a black youth could aspire to be was a bellboy or a pullman or an elevator operator, or, maybe, a teacher. There was a time when all we had was black baseball.

- Monte Irvin

topic: Sports, Baseball, Teacher, All State, Job Opportunities, Black Youth, Operators, New Jersey