Posted on 04/15/2009 6:42:32 PM PDT by kellynla
When players and fans gather at 15 Major League ballparks today, with every uniform on the field bearing the same No. 42 and ceremonies at new Citi Field leading the annual celebration of one of America's true heroes, the message will be said without a word:
All of our lives have been touched by Jackie Robinson.
On the 62nd anniversary of the day he crossed the color barrier in baseball and led millions of others to break through it not only in the sport but across American society, Robinson's legacy lives on in his credo: "A life is not important, except for the impact it has on other lives."
(Excerpt) Read more at losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com ...
Please correct the title.
Should say “Jackie’s impact will be felt today”
Thanks
They were talking abut retiring the number 42 during the Tiger’s game today. One of the White Sox players wears that number.
9-0 Tigers BTW.
All of this without the need for affirmative action. (This coming from a die-hard Giants fan).
A few years later, when I was a Little Leaguer, in nearby OC, my favorite was Charlie Neal who played 2nd base for th LA Dodgers.
We went to a few games at the Coliseum, and saw “Moon shots”, Gil Hodges, Duke Snyder, Carl Furrilo, Koufax, Drysdale, etc.
From then for the next few years, it was Golden for the LA Dodgers.
Titles, and Koufax perfect game. At his peak possibly the most unhittable pitcher ever.
42 was retired by MLB years ago. Only players who already had the number could continue wearing it.
Ah ha.
Thank ya kindly.
The truth is that a number of Blacks had competed in MLB, but they were (falsely) called “Cubans.” Everyone in professional baseball was in on the scam, but that’s how they got away with using great Black players without admitting they were Black. Robinson's introduction to baseball and admission that he was Black was more of a marketing ploy by Dodger owner Branch Rickey than anything else.
This is to take nothing away from Robinson. He was a WWII vet, an officer, a great baseball player, and he was the first man willing to take the risks of admitting to being a Black man in a previously (supposedly) all-White sport.
“62 years later, there are hardly any blacks playing MLB anymore.”
yep, about 9%
Blacks OWN the NBA though!
The magnitude of his history-breaking career overshadowed his true athletic greatness.
Make that “history MAKING”.......
Sad thing is hardly anybody knows about Larry Doby, who was the first black AL player, just a few weeks later.
Just a matter of days between history and irrelevance.
Not enough black players in Major League Baseball?
The solution is obvious.
Create a special program to encourage more blacks to play the sport. A special league for African-American players to develop their skills and talent in a culturally comfortable setting. I don’t know what you’d call it though.
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