Bahamian baseball legend to be laid to rest

By SHELDON LONGLEY,NG Sports Reporter

Much can be said of what Kenneth Andre Rodgers, a Bahamian icon, achieved in his 70 years on this earth, but a great deal can also be said of the legacy which he is leaving behind.

Rodgers, arguably The Bahamas' greatest sporting figure and pacesetter, will be laid to rest this afternoon at Christ Church Cathedral.

According to his best friend, fellow major leaguer Tony Curry, a lot can be learned from Rodgers and the lifestyle he lived. Rodgers, a Giant, Brave, Cub and Pirate during his Major League Baseball career made an invaluable contribution to sports history in The Bahamas, but more importantly, an invaluable contribution to the youth and the future of baseball in this country.

"He always gave of his time to improve his fellow man and he was always willing to impart knowledge," said Curry yesterday, reflecting on the part his friend played in Bahamian society. "He passed on a wealth of knowledge to us, and he really was a credit to this country. He was so gifted, that if he decided to shoot marbles, he would probably be one of the best marble shooters there is. He is just that good - Andre excelled in everything."

Curry said that Rodgers was able to excel because of the tremendous work ethic he had. He said that alone, could serve as a motivational factor for the youth in this country that if they want to be successful, they must put in hard work.

"He didn't believe in short cuts, and he always went the extra mile to perfect his skills," Curry said. "Hard work and sacrifice pays off, and Andre leaves that legacy for anyone who wishes to follow it. He was a great inspiration to the youth of this country, and they should really try to get to know more of him. I wish everyone knew him like I knew him. He was a great, great human being, and it was a privilege to have known him. A lot of good things in my life wouldn't have happened if not for Andre Rodgers. He was focused on his career. He did things the old- fashioned way by working hard and leading by example."

As the first Bahamian to play in Major League Baseball, pacesetter Rodgers paved the way for many to follow. The way he got to the major leagues is probably what was most inspiring.

Being a talented cricket player here on New Providence, Rodgers paid his own way to a New York Giants tryout in Florida in 1954. He failed to make the team that year, but he was still a teenager and he persevered. He had to learn the rules of baseball and consequently, Rodgers adjusted.

April 16, 1957 is when the 6'3" Bahamian got the breakthrough that he was longing for. Rodgers, then 22-years-of-age, finally locked on with the Giants and went on to enjoy an 11-year MLB career. That date will go down in the history books as the date when The Bahamas made its initial mark in professional baseball.

Rodgers had many ups and downs during his 11-year professional career, but his numbers speak for themselves. He had a .249 average in 854 career games with 45 career home runs and 245 career RBI's.

As for the type of human being he was, Curry said that there wasn't anyone he met more generous and more humble.

"He was the perfect gentleman. He was loving, humble, talented and a faithful friend. There was never any controversy surrounding him. He was a strong, quiet person with that great inner strength," Curry said.

Reflecting on the times they shared together, Curry said that there was no one he would rather talk baseball with, as Rodgers' experiences in the major leagues were second to no other Bahamian. Rodgers played alongside Hall of Famers Willie Mays, who is regarded by many to be the greatest center fielder ever, Willie McCovey, for which the San Francisco Giants home is named after, and fellow infielder Ernie Banks, who had to shift position just to make room for Rodgers in 1962. Rodgers became the Cubs' starting shortstop in 1962, and Banks moved to first base. Curry said that he is not sure if Mays will be down for the funeral or not, but he is sure that if Mays could make it, he would be present.

"Not only was he a fine gentleman and a fine mentor, but he was a great baseball payer and a great Bahamian," Curry said. "His death leaves a void in my life that can never be filled. We were able to sit and compare our playing days and just discuss everything. We talked about baseball all the time, but now there is no one to talk with who had that personal upfront experience like he did."

Rodgers made a distinguished contribution to not only baseball, but to sports in general in The Bahamas, and his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of Bahamians everywhere.