Goodman: The key to life, according to an American treasure

This is an opinion column.

Last week, I had the incredible honor of sitting down with Rev. Bill Greason in his West Birmingham home. To call Rev. Greason an American treasure is an understatement; he is a trailblazer who stands as the oldest living former Major League and Negro Leagues baseball player. Beyond the diamond, his service as one of the nation's first Black Marines and his combat experience at the Battle of Iwo Jima reflect a life of immense gravitas and sacrifice.

A Storied Life

Rev. Greason’s journey is the stuff of history books. He once played alongside baseball legends Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente for the 1954-55 Santurce Crabbers, a squad widely considered the greatest Winter League team in history. As the ace for that team and for the pennant-winning 1948 Birmingham Black Barons, he truly represents the pinnacle of American baseball history.

His impact reached far beyond the game. He was a lifelong mentor to Mays, and Clemente famously called him Mi Hermano—my brother. His resilience remains unmatched, having grown up across the street from Martin Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta and later serving as a junior pastor at the 16th Street Baptist Church during a dark period in Birmingham's history.

Reflections on Service

During our conversation, I was joined by friends from the Heart and Armor Foundation, an organization dedicated to the health of our veterans. While I have spent 30 years interviewing celebrities, speaking with Rev. Greason was a uniquely humbling experience. He is one of the last surviving veterans who witnessed the iconic American flag raising at Mount Suribachi on Feb. 25, 1945.

When asked about his experiences on Iwo Jima and the fears he faced, his words were hauntingly simple. Reflecting on the nights spent in the uncertainty of battle, he noted, "The nights on that island. Something to think about."

A Legacy of Grace

Despite facing racial barriers throughout his career—including a lack of fair opportunity when he became the first Black player for the St. Louis Cardinals—Rev. Greason remains remarkably free of bitterness. As we celebrate Juneteenth, his life serves as a powerful reminder of the dignity required to navigate our nation's long path toward equality.

Today, as Major League Baseball honors the Negro Leagues with the East-West Classic at Rickwood Field, we remember the talent of a man whose overhand curveball was once considered unhittable. When I finally asked him for the "key to life," his answer was as humble as it was profound: "I’ve tried to be a helper and not a hurter, and God has rewarded me by giving me a long life."

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