When they moved to Atlanta in 1966 I was a young college student and integration was just beginning. I attended several Braves' games that year and even convinced my father and my brother-in-law, both hardcore conservative and somewhat racist, to go with me a few times. It helped change their attitudes, as it did many others in the south. Setting there in the stands cheering, eating, and drinking with fans from both races pulling for a team that had 5 starters who were either African-American or Hispanic was something they would have never even considered doing prior to 1966 Atlanta Braves. You have to remember, back in those days Major League Baseball WAS America's Game, not the NFL.
Thanks to the Braves, the deep south and millions baseball fans like me were finally given the opportunity to witness in person the greatness of Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, the Alou brothers, Roberto Clemente, Bob Gibson, Orlando Cepeda, Maury Wills, and many more. We also witnessed that in an integrated setting which almost nonexistent in the deep south at that time.
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