DEER CREEK — About 100 sixth-graders at Deer Creek-Mackinaw Intermediate School experienced living history Friday.
They were informed and entertained for nearly 90 minutes by 79-year-old Leo Westbrook of Chicago, who pitched for five teams in the former Negro League during the late 1950's and early 1960's.
Sharply dressed in a grey suit, purple shirt and black cap, Westbrook intended to speak to the students from handwritten notes but instead he told several personal stories to make his points.
Westbrook was brought to the school during its yearly study of civil rights by Mackinaw resident Dale Stafford, a 21-year U.S. Navy veteran, rabid baseball fan and sports memorabilia collector who has a deep interest in the Negro League.
The Negro League gave black players like Westbrook an opportunity to play professional baseball even after the Major League color barrier was broken by Jackie Robinson in 1947.
But it wasn't much of an opportunity.
Players rarely received what they were supposed to be paid, Westbrook said. Even their $3 per day meal money was seldom paid in full.
"Sardines, crackers and soda pop," is what players often had to buy with their meal money, Westbrook said.
Team buses weren't air-conditioned. Players stayed overnight in private homes or on the team bus because hotels wouldn't take them. Managers were inexperienced and there was no medical staff.
The schedule was so tight that sometimes games weren't played.
"I played in the Negro League for four years. That was much too long," Westbrook said. "Those years got the best of me."
Westbrook got the best of many batters he faced playing semi-pro ball and in the Negro League.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander's overhand curve ball and fastballs in the low 90's produced many strikeouts. He even struck out future Hall of Famer Lou Brock twice in a game.
Westbrook said he taught future Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax how to throw an overhand curve ball.
After he left baseball, Westbrook earned bachelors and masters degrees, worked in the medical field, and handled personal appearances for New Chicago Sound Records.
When he wasn't discussing his Negro League experiences Friday, Westbrook was giving life lessons to the students.
The Mississippi native talked about how difficult it is to be a Major League baseball player, so it's wiser to focus on getting ready to join the "major league of life" by getting a good education.
Westbrook also warned the students about the "high cost of low living."
He talked about the fallouts from abusing alcohol or drugs, and also he gave examples of how doing wrong things has ruined baseball careers, specifically Barry Bonds and Pete Rose.
"They're not in the Hall of Fame. That's the price they've paid," he said.
Back to the diamond, Westbrook called the Chicago Cubs' trade of Brock to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 "the worst mistake ever made in baseball" and he didn't have kind words for current Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, who signed an eight-year, $184 million deal with the club before the 2016 season.
"I told my wife that if Heyward was playing when I was pitching, I doubt I would have met her because I would have been a star pitcher and eventually in Cooperstown," he said. "Nine out of 10 at-bats, he hits the ball between first and second base right where the fielder is standing."
This was Stafford's third presentation on the Negro League to Dee-Mack Intermediate students, but the first time he brought a guest in addition to memorabilia. His sons formerly were students at the school.
Stafford wore a 1978 New York Yankees World Series ring to Westbrook's presentation.
His uncle Bill Stafford, who pitched for the Yankees from 1960 to 1965, was the winning pitcher when Roger Maris hit his 61st home run during the 1961 season.
Steve Stein can be reached at stevestein21@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpartanSteve.