That celebration begins at 1 p.m.at the Philadelphia Starts Negro League Memorial Park, at the intersection of Belmont and Parkside Avenues, the site of a former Negro League ball park.
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Not only did Robinson break color barriers but was also incredibly talented, setting the pace for the game that is still strived to overcome. “There was so much more to say not only about Robinson’s barrier-breaking moment in 1947, but about how his upbringing shaped his intolerance for any form of discrimination and how after his baseball career he spoke out tirelessly against racial injustice, even after his star had begun to dim”.
This is a day of deep appreciation and pride for major-league players, especially African Americans. In 1997, MLB “universally” retired his uniform number, 42, across all major league teams; he was the first pro athlete in any sport to be so honored.
Those looking to deeply understand the struggle, journey, and eventual breakthrough Robinson experienced, and his deep impact on the game of baseball, should check out Ken Burns’ new film, Jackie Robinson, being distributed by PBS.
In recognition of his achievements on and off the field, Robinson was posthumously awarded a congressional gold medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“When he integrated the Brooklyn Dodgers, that impacted the Birmingham Black Barons, Southern League and gave African Americans a chance to enter organized baseball”, Revell explained.
“Being an African-American male, playing the same position with the Dodgers that he did and wearing number 42 on this day, you can’t get better than that”, said Hudson, who now works for the Arizona Diamondbacks and has done some speaking engagements with Robinson’s widow over the years.
“It is very important that we pay tribute to what Jackie Robinson stood for”, said Tim Bennett, owner of the Biloxi Shuckers. “It is a great honor to thank the JRF scholarship program as we celebrate Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium”. He meant a lot to me.
“Any time you put on that No. 42 jersey you feel a little bit more empowered and your chest sticks out a little and there is a little sense of pride”, Roberts said. “He opened the door for them”, Fann said.
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Remembering Robinson reminds me that there is always a first, that seminal individual who endures for the benefit of progress and justice.
