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BILLY DEE WILLIAMS: His name was Leroy Paige, but everyone knew him as Satchel. God gave him a fastball, a quick wit, and a gift for showmanship that made his name immortal.

Born in the segregated South, he rose to the top of the National Pastime. He was the first Black to pitch in a World Series. Like Louis Armstrong and Joe Louis, Paige was a symbol of achievement and accomplishment for all Black Americans.

Satchel pitched for more than 40 years on makeshift, rural sandlots and in Major League ballparks against the best in the game. He was the most celebrated player in the Negro leagues. And because some victories came against white Major League opponents, he set the stage for baseball's integration.

Satchel Paige was an extraordinary athlete and a genuine American original.

- He was the most natural guy on the pitching mound that I'd ever seen. It just wasn't nothing wrong he could do on the pitcher's mound.

- He was made for baseball. And he pleased so many people. And again, once you saw him, you never forget him.

- Satchel enjoyed it. And when he enjoyed it most was when he was pitching against Josh Gibson, Ruth-- the great ballplayers. Then, oh, he would shine. He would really shine.

MONTE IRVIN: He was cantankerous at times. If he wanted to zig, he'd zag. But that was all part of him. He was the perfect baseball person.

He was made to pitch. He was made to entertain. And he did both of them very, very well.

BUCK O'NEIL: We'd be on the field, finally, somebody would say, hey, Satchel just showed up. And boy, it was just like sun coming out from behind a cloud.

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