An unknown legend who fought segregation has died.
ROBERT BOB MOTLEY Robert "Bob" Motley died September 14, 2017. Bob is a rare historical figure at best. Until his death, he was the last surviving umpire from the historic Negro Baseball Leagues. Bob Motley lived an extraordinary and colorful life. Born in Autaugaville, AL in 1923, he was one of ten children born to William and Inez (Parker) Motley, he was their last surviving child. After his father died when Bob was 3, the family moved to Anniston, Alabama where he spent his formative years. Later, after his duty as a World War II Marine, he would relocate to Dayton, Ohio before ultimately making Kansas City his home. It was while serving as a Marine during World War II that Bob found his life's passion, umpiring. From a few stints as an arbitrator for military pick-up games amongst the distressed soldiers, he would eventually find his way to the Negro American League after being honorably discharged and receiving a Purple Heart . Starting in 1947, Bob began his journey umpiring in the Negro Leagues. He worked his way up through the ranks ultimately becoming chief umpire. Throughout a decade in the Negro Leagues where he stayed until 1958, Bob umpired games with great Black players including legends Satchel Paige, Hilton Smith , Willie Mays, Goose Tatum, Ernie Banks, Buck O'Neil, Hank Aaron and the man he says was the greatest Black player at that time, Hall of Famer Willard Brown. A career highlight in the Negro Leagues was umpiring four East-West All Star games in Chicago's Comiskey Park. Later Bob would continue to hone his craft at the Al Summer Umpire School in Daytona Beach, Florida where he graduated top of the class two years in a row. Unfortunately with Jim Crow lurking about in the late 50's, the highest he would make it up the umpire chain would be to AAA ball in the Pacific Coast League. Not one to take no for an answer, he continually tried to break the major leagues umpire color barrier for years, writing the commissioner and his white counterparts who had graduated beneath him in umpire school and were now in the majors. Bob would never realize this dream for himself, but his campaign helped heighten the awareness of discrimination in the majors and paved the way for younger umpires of color who followed. In 1987, Bob retired from the General Motors Corporation after 37 years of service. In addition to umpiring in the Negro and Pacific Coast Leagues, he also umpired the College World Series and officiated semi-pro, high school and college sports including basketball and football around the Kansas City area. He also coached basketball and football teams. In 2007, Bob penned his memoir Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants & Stars: True Tales of Breaking Barriers, Umpiring Baseball Legends, and Wild Adventuress in the Negro Leagues with his son Byron. The book chronicles his life before, during and after his days in the Negro Leagues. July 1, 2007 was declared "Bob Motley Day" in his adopted hometown of Kansas City, and in June 2009, he was honored in his home state of Alabama by being inducted into the Calhoun County Sports Hall of Fame. In June 2012, Motley received the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in Washington, DC for his service as a Montford Point Marine; the nations' highest civilian honor. He was the all-time top season ticket seller as a Royal Lancer for the Kansas City Royals, a Chiefs Red Coater, member of Rotary Club 13, and was also a founding member and served on the Board of Directors of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Later this year, a life-size statue of his likeness will join the "Field of Legends" at the museum. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and his beloved wife of 63 years Pearline Hayes Motley. He is survived by his children, daughter Bobette, son Byron, grand and great grandchildren. Funeral will be held at 11am on Tuesday, September 26 at St. Monica Church, 1616 Paseo Blvd in Kansas City. Visitation is from 9 - 11am. Burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KC. Funeral arrangements Watkins Brothers Heritage.
Published in Kansas City Star on Sept. 22, 2017
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I had the privilege of knowing "Jumpin" Bob Motley. A baseball legend from the Negro Leagues. Two unsung heros did so much to end the segregation in baseball. Bob Motley and Buck O'Neil. Both were my friends.
If you get to Kansas City go to 12th street and Vine and visit the Negro Leagues Museum that my two friends worked so hard to get established.
Bob was a true gentleman in the face of discrimination. He used his voice to bring an end to a disgraceful period of a game I love.
Nice article. The Negro Leagues are one of those things that will become an historical footnote as time passes and it recedes completely from living memory, which is a shame.
Former Cardinal first baseman Bill White and I were discussing the development of the Negro League Museum and a young black reporter jumped me for saying Negro League. She had no clue what it was. Bill was an alumni of the League and he set her straight about the proper name for the league. Bil also became National League president.
In a way I felt sad that she had no clue about segregated baseball and in another way I was glad that segregated baseball was so far removed from her generation that she wouldn't even be aware of it.
and I were discussing the development of the Negro League Museum and a young black reporter jumped me for saying Negro League. She had no clue what it was. Bill was an alumni of the League and he set her straight about the proper name for the league.
That is kind of shocking in itself.
It was! I looked at Bill and he back at me. We were both standing there with mouths agape.
Bill mailed me a book on some of the more colorful teams that played in segregated baseball days. One team was Jewish.
Bob Motley didn't talk about those days unless asked. The Royals hosted a pregame celebration for the museum and former players of the league. I have a ball signed by them. It was fun to watch the gray haired gentlemen greet Bob like a long lost friend. The old player umpire rivalry was gone.