With the inauguration of Barack Obama as our nation's 44th president, black history has been on the minds of many.

Black history has played a major role in sports for decades.

A portion of such history will be on display at Knoch High Thursday when former Pittsburgh Pirate Al Oliver addresses a pair of hour-long assemblies in the school's auditorium.

Oliver was in the Pirates' lineup on Sept. 1, 1971, the day the team fielded the first all-black starting lineup in major league history.

The Pirates' lineup that day had Dock Ellis pitching, Manny Sanguillen catching, Oliver at first base, Rennie Stennett at second, Jackie Hernandez at shortstop, Dave Cash at third base, Willie Stargell in left field, Gene Clines in center and Roberto Clemente in right.

Ellis and Oliver were best friends. Before Ellis died last month, he requested that Oliver deliver the eulogy at his funeral.

Oliver did so, praising Ellis for being a stand-up man.

"We need to stand up for something instead of hiding in the closest,"Oliver was quoted as saying.

Retired from baseball for more than 20 years, Oliver has been a stand-up guy himself, delivering speeches across the country on the importance of tolerance in today's society, teamwork, dedication to oneself and others, and hard work, even in times of trial.

Oliver grew up during the 1950s and '60s, a time of much racial tension in this country.

That starting lineup on Sept. 1, 1971, while considered a landmark day in sports in retrospect, was roundly criticized at the time.

All Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh was trying to do was win a game. He said he didn't even realize there were no whites on the field for his team, even after the game started.

Murtaugh saw only ballplayers.

Oliver was one of his better ones.

During his 18-year career, spanning from 1968 through 1985, he hit over .300 11 times. Of players with at least 7,000 career at-bats from 1950 through 1991, only Rod Carew (.329) and Pete Rose (.306) had a higher career batting average than Oliver's .303.

From 1968-85, Oliver collected 1,326 RBI. Only Reggie Jackson, Tony Perez and Johnny Bench had more. Oliver's 529 doubles during that time were topped only by Rose's 595.

As a hitter, this man was the model of consistency.

Whether Oliver belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame is subject to debate. Carew, Jackson, Bench and Perez are all in there and Rose should be.

Whether Oliver ever reaches Cooperstown isn't the important issue.

Whether he reaches youths in a positive way as he continues attempts to gear society toward a better quality of life is.

Oliver made 27 speaking engagements in 2008. He puts on numerous clinics as well.

This is a former athlete who cares about his fellow man.

Knoch's students will get that message Thursday.