Today was a great day in sports. It was a day of remembrance. A day to remember what Jackie Robinson did for baseball and for America. 60 years ago today, #42, made his major league debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jackie overcame the animosity from those who didn't feel African-Americans should be playing outside of the negro leagues. Letters stating that they would KILL Jackie if he played, the constant heckling from the crowds... I could never imagine exactly what it would be like to go through all of that to play a sport. Not only was he the first African-American to play in an all white league but he was also the first African-American to receive from "the Sporting News" Rookie of the Year award and in 1949 the NL MVP. Baseball after Jackie was forever changed.
Today, in memory of Jackie players throughout the MLB wore the retired #42. Even teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and the L.A. Dodgers chose to make it a team effort, all wearing #42. Others, as individuals, who felt honored and moved to wear the number buttoned up the jersey, some players like Ken Griffey Jr. and Carl Crawford wore multiple jerseys. Most of the jerseys worn today in commemoration will be auctioned off for The Jackie Robinson Foundation.
To me reading story after story from players and coaches help me to realize exactly what Mr. Robinson had to go through for something he believed in so strongly. With out him, the sport that I love, wouldn't be where it is today. So thank you, Jackie, for making baseball what it is today!
-RC
1 comment:
Okay, so I was rooting for the Padres (as always) during this game. And I don't know any of the Dodger names, and here's the deal: everytime I asked "Who's that?" - I never got an answer! Everyone wearing the same jersey number is good in theory, but I don't like watching games when this is going on...
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