60th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Debut

For those of you that don't know, I am an avid baseball fan. Being in the Los Angeles area, but not living in the chaos and cramped quarters of the big city it is only natural that I am an Angels fan, rather than a follower of the Dodgers. However, since I live in an area known as the Inland Empire, which is close enough to Los Angeles that we can see its river of smog flow along the foothills, and smell the stench of the heavy industry there, we have to acknowledge that Los Angeles is there. However, even though the Dodgers have become an embarassment to Southern California, and we can't convince them to move back to Brooklyn, I must acknowledge the most important Dodger ever to play the game because of how much he changed the game in such a positive way.

The Dodgers, yesterday, lined up along the third-base line, each and every one of them wearing No. 42, which was Jackie Robinson's number. He broke baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947, with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and yesterday baseball celebrated the 60th anniversary of his debut throughout the country. More than 200 players, managers and coaches wore his number today.

Jackie is an American hero and the ultimate barrier-breaker. He endured threats to his life, yet took everything hate-mongers had to offer him, facing the adversity with class, and advancing the African-American cause for equal rights, and uniting our nation rather than dividing it. Rutger's basketball ought to take a lesson.

Jackie has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame not only for his barrier-breaking participation in Major League Baseball, but for his excellent play as a second baseman for the Dodgers. Yesterday, Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson threw out ceremonial first pitches, and fellow Hall of Famers Joe Morgan and Dave Winfield were on hand, joined by actors Courtney B. Vance and Marlon Wayans. Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Also at the Dodger game for this event were Robinson's widow, Rachel, and two Dodgers who knew him. Dodgers legendary broadcaster Vin Scully paid tribute to Rachel Robinson, and Don Newcombe, Robinson's former teammate and a longtime Dodgers executive, looked on.

Ten years ago at the 50th anniversary ceremony, at New York's Shea Stadium in 1997, then-President Clinton (the male version) spoke and baseball's Commisioner Selig announced Robinson's No. 42 was being retired by all major league teams. The only player wearing No. 42 then who remains active is New York Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera. After Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. asked for permission to wear the number Sunday, Selig invited others to use No. 42 for the day. The response was overwhelming.

Though this year's national celebration was centered at Dodger Stadium, not far from where Robinson grew up in Pasadena, all of baseball paid tribute and honored Jackie Robinson. And his great deeds was not limited to baseball. Jackie Robinson was also the first athlete to earn letters in four sports at UCLA, and he served in the U.S. Army during World War II before making his debut with the Dodgers at age 27 after some years in the Negro Leagues.

Selig presented Mrs. Robinson with the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award for her work with the Jackie Robinson Foundation, formed in 1973 to raise scholarship money for qualified minorities. Robinson died in October 1972 at age 53.

Robinson played at a time when segregation was the norm. "Whites only" signs littered the landscape back then, and his admission to the Major Leagues was met with racist remarks from players and fans alike. Jackie Robinson was the player chosen to break the color barrier because he was mature enough and tough enough to survive and thrive.

Robinson retired following the 1956 season. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962.

Robinson's impact on the game has been lasting, and black players of today attribute Jackie with paving the way that provided them the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues as well.

Ceremonies were held at 10 of the 15 big league ballparks where games were scheduled to play yesterday. The other five sites, including Boston where the Angels were set to play the Red Sox, were washed out due to inclement weather.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers honored Robinson by having all their players outfitted in No. 42.

Jackie Robinson was one of those people who, when met with the insensitivity from people bent on trying to bring him down, moved forward, holding his head up high. He was an example of what being an American is all about. He wasn't just successful integrating the game. He was a great American. He was more than a player destined for the Hall of Fame. He was a man that wouldn't allow himself to fail, despite the obstacles.

The Dodgers won the game, 9-3, over the San Diego Padres.

(by the way, at my PPR blog, closing notes about Saturday's radio show have been posted, where I thank OBOB, Dave, and Phil for calling in, etc.)