From an article in today's New York Times:
"
When I helped Carew write his autobiography, “Carew,” which was published in 1979, he told me then, “I’ve also been hassled by white cops when they’ve seen me driving a nice car,” adding, “They think you’ve got to be a pimp.” He recalled one particular instance which he told me was a specific that characterized the general.
Carew hit .333 in 1978, above, a year after hitting .388.Credit...Associated Press
“After a Twins game in Met Stadium” — or Metropolitan Stadium, the former ballpark in Bloomington, Minn. — “a few years ago, I’m driving down 35W near my home and going 50 in a 55-mile zone. Two cops in a squad car pull me over. ‘You know the speed limit, boy? You think you’re going to be burning up the road with this fancy car you’re driving?’
“They asked for my driver’s license. My first instinct was to tell them that I’ve got my license in my pocket and if they want to take it out. Among Blacks, white policemen have a reputation that as soon as you go into your pocket, they think you’re going to pull out a gun. They could jump me and pull out their guns and it’s all over.
“I told them my doubts. One cop said, ‘Do it slowly.’ When he saw my name, he starts shaking his head and says, ‘Well, Rod, you’re nuts for going over the speed limit.’ I said: ‘I know I wasn’t going over the speed limit. I knew you guys were behind me. And I knew you were going to stop me.’” It ended without further incident. “I’m Rod Carew, but the bottom line is I’m still Black.”"
7/1/2020 4:19 AM (edited)