Alex Beam in the Boston Globe, March 12, 1999:

With all respect due to a man of phenomenal ability and achievement, isn't it apparent that much of the public mourning for Joe DiMaggio is really keening for the bygone era of the white athlete? I had my ear cocked to the radio on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I couldn't help hearing racial code words pouring out of the ether. Caller after caller decried today's greedy, money-grubbing athlete, who immodestly brags about his or her accomplishments and publicly taunts opponents, talks trash, etc. Inevitably, callers and commentators alike contrasted today's unsportsmanlike behavior with the quiet dignity of DiMaggio, who supposedly never squawked about contracts (he did) or poor-mouthed his adversaries.

Well, OK. But aren't we really talking about stereotypical "white" behavior, contrasted with stereotypical "black" behavior? ...

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