Willie McCovey Reflects on Jackie Robinson's Legacy

On the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League debut, the sport came together to honor the man who broke the color barrier and pushed baseball into the future. Jackie went hitless in four plate appearances and scored a run in a 5-3 win for the Dodgers over the Boston Braves.

LOS ANGELES A bronze statue of Jackie Robinson stealing home was unveiled at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, an idea stemming from a meeting shortly after the teams new ownership took control in 2012.

This is an issue that has been recognized league wide, and there are a variety of reasons why it has happened, but having fewer recognizable faces is a possible reason for the lack of African-American youth getting drawn into the game.

Also invited are about 50 members of Robinson's extended family, the majority from his late brother Mack's side of the family in nearby Pasadena. This season there is just one black and one lation geral manager among 30 teams. Neighborhoods and schools are deeply divided by race, race-specific programs like affirmative action are highly polarizing, and a substantial contingent of American citizens believe the country should be more, not less, homogenous.

"Jackie had made us interested in baseball. Jackie stood for excellence on the field, he stood for excellence off the field, but mostly he stood for the proposition that all human beings deserve their dignity, respect and fair treatment at all times". Then along came Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson. "And that it will inspire each of us to fight back against injustice, build strong communities, take risks and embrace the handsome diversity that is this great nation".

Fast-forward: It's 1968, and I'm 6 years old and experiencing my first summer Olympic Games on TV. I remember seeing that and asking my parents, "Why did they take their medals?" The MLB is hoping programs like Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) can increase these numbers and they seem to be working. Not only was he a great player, but he was a great model for what a true citizen is: One who gives of himself to help others.

Thank you, Mr. Robinson, for your sacrifice and for your strength and dignity.

All the matching No. 42s running around - a tradition that began in 2009 - will be a reminder not only of Robinson but of the continuing movement for each of us to be more like him in other ways, too.