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

This is an opinion column.

I recently had the distinct honor of visiting Rev. Bill Greason at his West Birmingham home. To call him an American treasure would be an understatement; he is a man whose life story belongs in the Smithsonian.

Greason holds a unique place in history as the oldest living former Major League and Negro Leagues baseball player. His resume is nothing short of legendary: a war hero from the Battle of Iwo Jima and one of the first Black Marines in U.S. history.

A life beyond compare

To understand the caliber of athlete Greason was, look no further than the 1954-55 Santurce Crabbers of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Playing alongside icons like Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente, Greason served as the ace of what is widely considered the greatest Winter League team in baseball history. He was also the ace for the pennant-winning 1948 Birmingham Black Barons, cementing his status as a true giant of the sport.

Beyond the diamond, his life has been defined by profound social consequence. Growing up across the street from Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta and serving as a junior pastor at the 16th Street Baptist Church, he has witnessed and endured the most pivotal moments in the fight for equality. Even when facing discriminatory treatment as the first Black player for the St. Louis Cardinals, Greason carried himself with a grace that remains unmatched.

The nights on Iwo Jima

During my visit, which I conducted alongside representatives from the Heart and Armor Foundation—an organization doing vital health work for veterans—I asked about his time serving in World War II. According to the foundation, Greason is one of the last living veterans who witnessed the American flag being raised at Mount Suribachi on Feb. 25, 1945.

When asked about the fear he faced during the war, particularly during the grueling nights on Iwo Jima, he recalled the eerie uncertainty of not knowing the enemy's position. Yet, he spoke with pride about his service. "I felt good about being part of a great outfit," he said. "U.S. Marines. Black."

The key to life

As Major League Baseball honors the Negro Leagues during the East-West Classic at Rickwood Field this Juneteenth, we are reminded of the legacy Greason leaves behind. A mentor to Mays and a man who Clemente called Mi Hermano, he remains the last living link to the original Negro Leagues.

When I finally asked the question I traveled there to pose—the key to life—the man who will turn 102 this September offered a simple, humble reflection. He admitted he sometimes struggles to understand why he has outlived so many friends, but his perspective remains rooted in kindness. "I’ve tried to be a helper and not a hurter," Greason said, "and God has rewarded me by giving me a long life."

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