Jackie Robinson Day

[TDog]

Today is Jackie Robinson Day, adjusted from marking his MLB debut to another anniversary so the importance of the 42 on the wall at the ballpark isn't ignored in a season that had to scuttle the All-Star Game. More of a news story than a baseball story this year, a thorough discussion of it is perhaps, unfortunately political. Still too important not to be noted in baseball discussions.

My father, who grew up in New Jersey listening to Brooklyn Dodgers games, told me stories of Jackie Robinson. I recently read Opening Day, about Jackie Robinson's rookie season, which brings in the context of 1947 America and how people were inspired by the season. Of course, so much has been written. Movies have been made. Baseball-wise, I came of age with Carlos May and Walt "No-Neck" Williams as my favorite ballplayers when the White Sox were the center of my universe. It's easy to take Jackie Robinson's debut, even his career as historically inevitable, something that was going to happen, and he got there first. The 42 on the walls, on the backs of player's uniforms today only, is an important reminder of a man who was so much more than just the first.

It's not political to add that the 42 is as relevant today as ever.

[JazzyCyclist]

Today is Jackie Robinson Day,... Still too important not to be noted in baseball discussions... It's not political to add that the 42 is as relevant today as ever.

Very much true.

[notjimrose]

My one suggestion for an improvement on Jackie Robinson Day would be to have one player from each pre-expansion team wear the number of the team's first black player. Show a little love for Minnie Minoso, Larry Doby, Elston Howard, Ernie Banks, and the rest and let their legacies live on in their respective cities.

[TDog]

My one suggestion for an improvement on Jackie Robinson Day would be to have one player from each pre-expansion team wear the number of the team's first black player. Show a little love for Minnie Minoso, Larry Doby, Elston Howard, Ernie Banks, and the rest and let their legacies live on in their respective cities.

Not to mention Pumpsie Green. Your suggestion misses the point. Larry Doby wasn't waiting in the wings, playing in the minors and waiting to be called up in 1947. He was signed mid-season while playing for Newark on the other side of the color line. He was signed and immediately put into action, before he was ready for the majors, it turned out. He would do better in 1948. But he wouldn't have been taken from the Newark Eagles and put into the majors in 1947 or even 1948 if it hadn't been for what Jackie Robinson was doing.

This isn't a matter of being the first. It's for making Larry Doby, Minnie Minoso et.al. possible.

[Krs1]

Was awesome seeing everyone in his uniform, today.