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Our Tribute to Jackie Robinson Day 2010
by Judith & Fredy
Jackie Robinson commemorative pin
Spring is all about new beginnings and the start of baseball season!!!
Being Dodger fans we are blessed to always celebrate Jackie Robinson day at Dodger stadium on April 15th. Throughout the years this celebration has taken on new meaning and some teams have complained why Los Angeles always has this special date as a regularly scheduled HOME GAME. For that we’re glad to be Dodger fans because even though Jackie never played in Los Angeles or Chavez Ravine for that matter, his spirit is part of the Dodger culture.
This years game will be played against the Arizona D-Backs so in addition to being in the stadium, baseball lovers as well as people from around the globe will be celebrating Jackie Robinson Day. So all across major league baseball check out your team as I am sure some players, if not ALL will be donning #42 out of respect and honor of Jackie R. Robinson.
In the timezone of President Obama and the spirit his place in office represents, as well as the contradiction with those wishing to celebrate Confederate Month, you simply have to look at the facts of Jackie Robinson and the legacy he created to understand our nation and our world is a much better place when there is inclusion versus exclusion. For all the crap Jackie had to endure, like President Obama, many in the African-American tradition use Jackie’s illustration to communicate the courage and commitment to convey what it means “when you are the first.”
Jackie had to maintain great discipline while performing at an extraordinary level to break down the myths which in modern terms is laughable – simply integrating the game of baseball. Our world has changed and baseball has changed, so our encouragement is for you to review the history of Jackie R. Robinson, what he meant to his family, what he meant to baseball, what he meant to a progressing nation as well as what he meant to mankind.
In addition to the new exhibit at CITI park, the Jackie Robinson Rotunda (New York Mets home field), you are encouraged to check out the Jackie Robinson Museum which is part of the ball park in Daytona Beach, FL where in 1946 Jackie broke in with the Dodgers briefly playing for their minor league team.
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Branch Rickey gets credit for pulling the hat trick or doing what many owners simply could not fathom, especially in light of their product dying on the vine. He was a masterful businessman who understood the primary color of interest was green.
Despite the major leagues suffering a decline, the Negro Leagues (yes there were two league for a reason as segregation was the custom or way of life, so “whites” had their league and “blacks” [Negroes] had theirs) were very popular as their brand of ball was defined as “more exciting”. Interestingly, The Negro Leagues was more successful as a business because they operated on a different scale but more important, it was a keen tradition in the black community to support the various teams, thus many like Rickey paid attention to its popularity from the business perspective. Robinson was part of the Kansas City Monarch and was considered an above average talent, although not great as some have assumed he was the best player in the league. Nevertheless, he was the best pick for the “experiment.”
So while the history books will note Rickey was providing some benevolent gesture by entertaining bringing a few “Negroes” into the league, what is not highlighted is he knew society as well as the major league fans would be intriqued by seeing someone like Jackie Robinson play right before their eyes and attendance, perhaps would increase. Finally, they no longer had to sneek to Negro League games to see players like Jackie Robinson, Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, Larry Doby, Papa Bell just to name a few.
The rest is history!!!!!
I could go on and on but I will spare you………Surely, today is Uncle Sam’s day (at least for those who haven’t filed your
taxes or owe him something), but I would encourage you to check out your local team or read more on Jackie Robinson and how his presence allowed our society to become more tolerant with one another. As for us, God willing, we will be at Dodger Stadium as they always have a great pre-game presentation honoring his contribution to America’s pastime.
SPECIAL JACKIE ROBINSON CLIP BY NATALIE COLE
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Postscript
Well what would a Jackie Robinson celebration be if the Dodgers didn’t win???? At the stadium, what seemed like a sure loss, the Dodgers rallied with 2 in the 9th to tie it and WIN it in the 10th snipping the D’Backs 6-5.
The game was the game but the celebration was outstanding.
CLICK HERE FOR SPECIAL WORDS BY DON NEWCOMBE
Newk was joined by the great Frank Robinsion, Dodger all star legends Tommy Davis and Lou Johnson, as well as Dodger great Tommy Lasorda, and of course super Dodger fan and basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabber
Thanks to all who participated in Jackie Robinson Day and of course to you for reading this blog.
