“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” — Proverbs 22:1
The passing of The Right Excellent Sir Garfield St. Auburn Sobers at the age of 89 has inspired captivating tributes from around the world. For us Barbadians, it has been a period of pride, reflection and sadness.
One tribute shared on “Mornin’ Barbados” captured the essence of Sir Garry’s extraordinary global stature. Pearson Bowen interviewed Maurice Greenidge, a government official who accompanied Sir Garry on his travels while he served as an ambassador for Barbados.
Maurice recalled arriving in London from Bermuda, where Sir Garry wanted to purchase golf equipment. Their taxi had not arrived, so they took the first one in line, driven by an Indian gentleman living in London.
Sir Garry sat in the back, while Maurice took the front seat.
“Where are you from?” the driver asked.
“Barbados,” Maurice replied.
“Barbados? Do you know Sir Garfield Sobers?”
Maurice happened to be holding Sir Garry’s passport.
“Do I know him? Not only do I know him, but here is his passport — and he is sitting in the back seat.”
The driver slammed on the brakes in disbelief. Thankfully, no accident occurred. After recovering from the shock, he asked where they wished to go.
When Maurice told him they were looking for a golf shop, the driver replied, “I know exactly where to take you.”
Fifteen minutes later, pandemonium broke out as the great master was recognized inside the shop. Sir Garry selected his equipment and went to pay.
“Pay?” the owner responded. “Sir, you have already paid. Your purchase is on the house.”
That was Sobers. Not color, but merit made him immortal.
My own association with him was modest. Many years ago, I sat next to Sir Garry at a National Heroes function in Barbados. I was probably present because my late uncle, Sir Hugh Springer, was also a National Hero. Sir Garry and I had a pleasant conversation — a treasured encounter with a man whose presence was as commanding as his achievements.
My other connection was vicarious. In 1966, the year of Barbados’ Independence, I was a student in London. Sir Garry and his cousin, David Holford — my Harrison College classmate — both scored centuries in the West Indies’ second innings of the second Test at Lord’s. David kindly offered me a ticket, and I had the privilege of witnessing that historic performance.
In London during that era, once people heard you were from Barbados, they inevitably asked, “Do you know Sir Garry Sobers?”
To say yes was almost to share in Sir Garry’s greatness.
That is what true greatness does: it lifts an entire nation. Sir Garry did not merely dominate a cricket field; he carried Barbados and the West Indies onto the world stage with brilliance, dignity and unmistakable Caribbean pride.
His records tell only part of the story. His greater legacy resides in the generations he inspired, the barriers he transcended and the respect he commanded in every corner of the globe. He showed that a young man from a small Caribbean island, armed with exceptional talent, discipline and humility, could become the greatest the world had ever seen.
His final innings has ended, but Sir Garry’s name will never leave the scoreboard of history. Barbados has lost a beloved son; the Caribbean has lost one of its finest ambassadors; and the world has lost a sporting immortal.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his magnificent legacy continue to lift us all.
Dr. Basil Springer GCM is a corporate governance adviser. Email: basilgf@marketplaceexcellence.com. Previous columns may be found at www.nothingbeatsbusiness.com.