This Week In Black History

Cito Gaston, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, became the first Black manager to lead a Major League Baseball team to a World Series title on this day. Gaston, a native of San Antonio, was born Clarence Edwin Gaston on March 17, 1944. He played 11 seasons in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates. Gaston later rejoined the Braves in 1981 as a minor-league hitting instructor and in 1982 as the club's first full-time batting instructor. In May 1989, he was promoted from hitting instructor to manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. The team responded well to his easygoing manner and as a result later won its three division crowns in Gaston's four years as manager. Gaston piloted the Blue Jays past the Atlanta Braves to win the World Series. The victories capped a 10-year run during which the Blue Jays compiled the best win/loss record in Major League Baseball. His tenure as manager with the team ended in September 1997. Currently Gaston is the hitting coach for the Blue Jays.

October 28, 1981--

Edward M. McIntyre was elected the first Black mayor of Augusta, GA, on this day. He won his bid for the office with 53.7 percent of the vote in a run-off election against perennial candidate Joe Taylor. Seventy percent of the registered Augustan voters turned out for that run-off. A native of Augusta, McIntyre attended Georgia public schools and went on to earn a B.A. degree from Morehouse College. Following a brief teaching career, he served 12 years on the Richmond County Commission before he took over as mayor. McIntyre's goals under his administration focused on economic development and war on crime. Currently, McIntyre is the head of Augusta African American Historical Community, Inc., located in Augusta. He is also a private consultant for local businesses and politicians.