Before Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson to break major league baseball's color barrier, the Brooklyn Dodgers' executive approached Monte Irvin.

Irvin, an outfielder with the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League, was favorably compared with Joe DiMaggio. But he was drafted into the Army in 1943 and came back from World War II with an inner ear infection. It affected his balance and he was unsure about his baseball skills after two years of inactivity. Rickey later signed Jackie Robinson. 

After a great career in the negro leagues, the New York Giants made Irvin one of the first blacks after Robinson to reach the major leagues in 1949. He was a 30-year-old outfielder, still in his prime, and a new audience marveled at his hitting, fielding, and fearless base running. 

Years later, with his family watching proudly, Irvin exuded gratitude and humility when inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown in 1973. Five years earlier in 1968, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn hired him as the sport's assistant director of public relations. He was the first black front office executive in the major leagues and worked hard to earn the respect of owners, front office executives, and the news media.

Last Monday night, this soft-spoken, gracious role model passed away at his home in Houston. He was 96.  Learning of his death made me flash back to a special moment.

One day in 1972 Monte called my office at NBA headquarters. He wanted to know if I'd like to go with him to a Mets-Braves game that night at Shea Stadium. Who wouldn't? Are you kidding? He said he'd pick me up at 3:30 p.m.

I stood on the curb at Seventh Avenue near 32nd Street in Manhattan. I saw Monte at the wheel of his four-door sedan pulling over to get me and noticed there was someone in the front passenger seat so I jumped in the back seat.

Monte leaned to his right and said to me, "Nick, say hi to Hank Aaron." We shook hands.

I pretended to be relaxed, trying to hide the thrill of meeting the man two years shy of breaking Babe Ruth's seemingly unreachable career 714 home run record.

I listened in awe as these two men spoke candidly of players and managers, past and present.

It was a 45-minute ride to Shea Stadium in Queens and each minute was packed with their baseball insights. To the nation, we were headed for an average weeknight, mid-season game few would remember. Yet for me, it was the thrill of a lifetime. Aaron was doing most of the talking. They commented vividly on the strengths and weaknesses of active and retired players. I am sure they were much more diplomatic when interviewed by reporters.

Monte arranged a field and dressing room pass for me before the Atlanta Braves took on the Mets. We went in to the Braves' dressing room about 4:20 and Monte introduced me to a few of the Braves' players. I tried to think of intelligent questions to ask, but all that came out was, "Pleased to meet you."

Monte took me on to the field to watch batting practice. We stood behind the batting cage where it was safe. Monte engaged in small talk with players, managers and coaches from both teams. Then we made our way to box seats and saw the game.  It was one of the priceless perks of being the National Basketball Association's director of public relations from 1969-76. 

Two months earlier, I was sitting court side at Madison Square Garden surrounded by members of the media. It was halftime of a New York Knicks' game and we received word that Jackie Robinson was in the building.

I remembered the grainy black-and-white TV footage of Jackie on the base paths for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  In 1947 he courageously broke the color line and opened the door forever for athletes in baseball, football and basketball. Later, players of color would also excel in golf, tennis and other major sports.

Jackie's best sport was football, but baseball gave him the opportunity. 

Watching him rattle pitchers and catchers was unforgettable and he altered the tempo of a game by his base running. In those days trying to steal home plate was risky, yet he succeeded time after time. Other times he just danced on the base line, challenging the pitcher, who sometimes lost his focus with the opposing hitter.

Those of us sitting along press row at the Garden that night knew all the stars and would-be stars on NBA rosters. But it was extra special to have a legend from another sport attend.  

As Jackie made his way along press row, the first impression I remember was his size. He looked much taller and muscular on TV in the '50s. It was public knowledge he suffered a heart attack in 1968 and now was battling diabetes. The vision in one eye was gone forever, and he squinted occasionally with the other.

He looked older than 53. His hair was close cropped and now all-white. There was pain in his face if you looked closely, but he tried to hide it with a smile. His voice was strong. He reminded us he played a lot of basketball in his youth, and loved watching the collegians and pros. 

When the Knicks' publicist introduced Jackie to me, I noticed his firm hand shake and polite greeting. All I could think of was to thank him for all he had done for his people. He nodded. That was it.

Seven months later, he suffered another heart attack in his Stamford, Ct., home and crossed the threshold to eternity.

In 1997 a new baseball commissioner ruled that Jackie should be remembered in a unique way. Jackie's jersey number, 42, which had been retired much earlier by the Dodgers, would henceforth be retired by every major league team. Active players wearing 42 could finish their careers with the number. The last was Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees, who hung his up in 2013.

 

Now, each April 15 every major league player dons jersey number 42 to thank Jack Roosevelt Robinson. Monte Irvin and Jackie Robinson touched hundreds of millions of lives, including mine briefly, and the world is a much better place. 

 

Nick Curran was the NBA's director of public relations from 1969 to 1976. He later became a vice president and financial adviser for 28 years. He and his wife, 

Eileen, are retired and live in Santa Barbara.

16th annual MESHOF Induction Ceremony, January 28, 2016

Football fans, here is the news you have been waiting for.

In association with the NFL Alumni and as part of the Super Bowl festivities to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area this year, the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame (MESHOF) will present its 16 th annual Induction Ceremony at the Double Tree Hotel Newark--Fremont on Thursday, January 28. The ceremony is dedicated to former members of the San Francisco 49ers.

The oldest professional team in the Bay Area, the San Francisco 49ers have also been the area's most successful. This is your chance to meet and mingle with many of the players.

Inducted and honored will be players from the 1950s, '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. Team owners, doctors, and former players who have positively impacted the community will be honored. Also honored will be those who contributed to the organization since the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1946.

Class of 2016: Dana Stubblefield, Ray Wersching, Willie Harper, Ted Kwalick, Jeremy Newberry and Allan Kennedy.

Community Honoree:  Eason Ramson -- Distinguished Service Award; Carolyn Hoskins -- Distinguished Service Award; Dr. Jamie Williams.

For more information, visit the MESHOF website at www.afrosportshall.com or call 510-629-2895. Or visit the NFL Alumni's site at www.nflalumninoca.org , or call 510-258-3555.

Purchase your tickets now because this event will sell out!

2016 Super Bowl Breakfast, Feb. 6

 

The 29 th annual NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl Breakfast is coming to the Bay Area!  It will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 8 a.m. at the Hilton Union Square in San Francisco.

 

Tony Dungy, Brent Jones, Benjamin Watson, Tim Brown, Jerry Kramer, Roger Staubach, Mike Ditka and others will be on hand to celebrate Super Bowl 50!

  

The Super Bowl Breakfast features the presentation of the  Bart Starr Award to a current NFL player, voted on by his peers, for outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. Winners in recent years include Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Highlights of the program will include interviews with Super Bowl players via video, exciting NFL Films highlights, interviews, humor, personal stories, testimonies and a faith-based message.

 

Visit  www.superbowlbreakfast.com  for more information or call 800-416-9472.

 

The Super Fan Chase will take place in the San Francisco Bay Area on Feb. 3-6, the week before Super Bowl 50. It will involve up to 50 businesses providing sports-themed entertainment for contestants who will receive a passport that each business stamps before contestants move to the next destination. The first team delivering the most stamps within the allotted time wins a VIP viewing experience to the Big Game.

Participating businesses include the Taplands Taproom, Bottle Shop & Neighborhood Brewery of Santa Clara, Adobe Road Winery of Sonoma/TRG-Aston Martin Racing, Visionary Moments of Santa Clara, Russell City Sports Bar & Grill in Hayward, 7D Experience of PIER 39 in San Francisco, WimZr (at your app store), SF Drone School of San Francisco, Sports Basement, and DJI flying and camera stabilization systems. For fan and/or sponsorship details, visit www.SuperFanChase.com, www.Facebook.com/SuperFanChase, Twitter @SuperFanChase or info@SuperFanChase.com.

Below are the names of advertisers who will participate in our 2015 Fall/Winter Football edition. Add your name by calling and reserving your space. Good placement is available and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Be part of the most comprehensive sports magazine

in the San Francisco Bay Area. Call 510-845-2035 today or write:  theultimatesportsguide@gmail.com.

What do all these illustrious names have in common?

Michael Altfest, Steve Baker, James Brandt, Paul Brekke-Miesner, Robinson Brown, Walter Champion, Harvey Cohen, Isaac Cronin, Eileen Curran, Nick Curran, Glenn Dickey, Andy Dolich, Jeff Elefante, Pete Elman, Leland Faust, Nancy Finley and Chris De Benedetti, Jim Fitzpatrick, Rob Flammia, Daniel Geary, Andre Johnson, Kenny Karst, Ira Klein, Richard Lupoff, Bruce Macgowan, Patric Mayers, Ross McKean, Robert Moselle, Dave Newhouse, John Ourand, Howard Pearlstein, Rudi Petschek, Laurel Poeton, Phil Schaaf, Dan Siegel, Jonathan Siegel,  Tom Stern, Shelia Young

All of the above writers have contributed articles to 

SPORTS TODAY and their acclaimed work can be found at www.ultimatesportsguide.com. Simply click SPORTS TODAY

at the top of the home page 

and three indexes will appear: by issue, author and category. All are cross-indexed and provide links to every article we have published.

 

  Dave Newhouse's history of the 49ers' pre-DeBartolo years, 1946-76 is a must read for all San Francisco Bay Area sports fans. The book can be ordered at Amazon.com and at bookstores.

   Odds to win Super Bowl 50

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San Francisco

Abbey Tavern, 4100 Geary Street

The Blue Light, 1979 Union Street

Bus Stop, 1901 Union Street

The Chieftain, 198 5th Street

Danny Coyle's, 668 Haight Street

Dave's, 29 Third Street @ Kearny

Final Final, 2990 Baker @ Lombard

The Holding Company, #2 Embarcadro Center

Il Pirata, 2007 16th Street

Jake's Steaks, 3301 Buchanan Street

Jullian's, 101 4th Street

The Kezar Pub, 770 Stanyan Street

Mad Dog in the Fog, 530 Haight Street

Mucky Duck, 1315 9th Avenue

Nickie's Bar, 466 Haight Street

Players Sports Grill, Pier 39, Buildings L & M

Polo Grounds, 747 3rd Street

 

East Bay

Brennan's Restaurant, 4th & University, Berkeley

Churchward Pub, 1515 Park Street, Alameda

City Beach, 4020 Technology Place, Fremont

Crogan's Montclair, 6101 La Salle Avenue, Oakland

Cue & Brew, 1029 Arnold Drive, #6, Martinez

Dan's Irish Sports Bar, 1524 Civic Street, Walnut Creek

Diamonds Sports Bar & Grill, 77 Hegenberger, Oakland

Ed's Mudville Grill, 6200 Center Street, Clayton

The Englander, 101 Parrott Street, San Leandro  

Evie's, 7138 Village Parkway, Dublin

Francesco's Restaurant, 8520 Pardee Drive, Oakland

Frank's Saloon, 2014 Marina Blvd., San Leandro

Funky Monkey, 22554 Main Street, Hayward

George & Walt's, 5445 College Avenue, Oakland

Grand Oaks Restaurant, 3701 Grand Avenue, Oakland

Go Sports Bar, 736 Washington Street, Oakland

Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Avenue, Albany

Kingfish, 5227 Claremont, Oakland

Linguini's Pizza & Brew, 1508 Park Street, Alameda

Livermore Casino Sports Bar, 3571 First Street, Livermore

McCovey's Restaurant, 1444 N. California, Walnut Creek

Mr. Lucky's Bar & Grill, 1527 Locust Street. Walnut Creek

Oakland Moose Club, 690 Hegenberger Road

Oaks Corner, 4099 San Pablo, Emeryville

Otaez Mexican Restaurant, 1619 Webster Street, Alameda

Pacific Coast Brewing Co., 906 Washington Street, Oakland

Pasta Pelican, 2455 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda

Pete's Place, 610A San Pablo Avenue, Pinole

Rancho Sports Bar, 3912 San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante

Ricky's Sports Grill, 15028 Hesperian Blvd., San Leandro

Sports Edition Bar, Hilton Oakland Airport, Oakland

Stadium Pub, 1420 Lincoln Avenue, Walnut Creek

Tierney's Sports Bar, 540 San Pablo Avenue, Albany

WPLJ's Dance Club, 2112 North Main Street, Walnut Creek

 

Brisbane

7 Mile House, 2800 Bayshore Blvd.

 

Burlingame 

The American Bull Bar & Grill, 1819 El Camino Real

Knuckles Historical Sports Bar, Hyatt Regency, Burlingame

 

Campbell 

Capers Eat & Drink, 1710 West Campbell   

 

Fair Oaks

Players Sports Pub, 4060 Sunrise Blvd.

 

Half Moon Bay 

Cameron's Restaurant Pub & Inn, 1410 South Cabrillo Hwy

Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., 390 Capistrano Road

 

Foster City 

The Club House Bistro, 1221 Chess Drive  

 

Palo Alto 

Sundance The Steakhouse, 1921 El Camino Real

 

Point Richmond

Up & Under, 2 West Richmond Avenue   

 

San Jose 

Bay 101 Casino, 1801 Bering Drive

Britannia Arms, 5027 Almaden Expressway

Britannia Arms, 173 West Santa Clara

Britannia Arms, 1087 De Anza Blvd.    

 

San Rafael 

Pete's 881, 721 Lincoln Avenue

 

Santa Clara

City Beach, 2911 Mead Avenue

 

Santa Cruz 

One Double Oh Seven Club, 1007 Soquel Avenue    

 

Vacaville 

Stars Recreation Center, 155 Browns Valley Parkway