Still, it's important to celebrate "Jackie Robinson Day" as both a tribute to a great American and a continuing reminder of a time when the game disgraced itself by keeping a large segment of our population from taking part in something that billed itself as the national pastime. McCovey was still a child with big league aspirations at the time of Robinson's debut, and he told Marty about what impact Robinson had on his baseball dream.
A bronze statue of Jackie Robinson stealing home was unveiled at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, an idea stemming from a meeting shortly after the team's new ownership took control in 2012. But Jackie made it work.
"I'm humbled to participate in the unveiling of the Jackie Robinson statue on the 70th anniversary of his Major League debut", said Magic in a statement.
I suspect my dad, as I had with my daughter, tried to explain to me the significance of Robinson - how he had not only broken baseball's color barrier, but in his brief remarks that day, he implored Major League Baseball to do more by hiring its first black manager.
Evacuations as 'extremely serious' Cyclone Cook batters New Zealand
It could cause heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge in several areas of the island, with the risk of floods. More than 250 homes in coastal town Ohope have been evacuated, while the military has placed 500 troops on standby.
- David Price (@DAVIDprice24) April 15, 2017In 1947, Jackie Robinson stood up in front of thousands of people who were rooting against him & did what he did best - played ball! All the Major League Baseball coaches and players, including myself, get the privilege to wear Jackie's number, #42, the only number ever to be retired by all 30 teams.
April 15 has been recognized by Major League Baseball as a commemorative date since 2004 before the league-wide tradition of wearing the same numbered jerseys began in 2009.
That day came exactly 70 years ago today. Like most of her generation of African-Americans, baseball is not a "thing". "His impact exceeded beyond baseball, paving a way for me and African-American athletes across all sports". Growing up, it wasn't uncommon for me to be the only or one of few white players on my teams, and that felt normal. But any honest glance at the country reveals that discrimination is alive and well, and an annual conversation about Jackie Robinson can help remind us why that's wrong. The MLB is hoping programs like Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) can increase these numbers and they seem to be working. Not once in my life did I ever step on the field and question the race, color or creed of a teammate, I only cared if they could play and if they busted their butt doing so.
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