Today MLB celebrates the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking of the color barrier:
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played in his first major league game and suceeded in breaking the color barrier that divided baseball. Over the course of Jackie Robinson's rookie year, he endured racist taunts from both fans and opposing players. On his first trip to Cincinnati, the fans cursed, taunted, threw bottles, and hurled racist epithets at Robinson. The scene became so raucous and dangerous that Brooklyn manager Burt Shotton briefly considered pulling Robinson from the game.
Today, Cinncinati outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. wore Jackie Robinson's number 42 in tribute to the man who blazed the trail. He was joined by many other MLB stars and the entire Dodgers team will wear 42 tonight.
An admirable gesture from Griffey and MLB. Today is a day to remember Jackie Robinson.
May I humbly suggest that this blog should take a moment and remember Jackie Robinson.
Sorry to be sanctimonious but Jackie Robinson should be remembered by every progressive today, imo.
And I promise to not intrude again at your place.
Peace.
diary posted at Je blaque reminiscing on Dionne Warwick’s “Promises, Promises”
oh and there is another blog–Bullpen on Je blague’s blogdrool, by a new guy by the username of nuzorro–I think he’s a good sportswriter and snarkster but he just can’t get into the whole blogging, x-posting thing.
http://nuzorro.wordpress.com/
Who sang that song that went
“You make me promises, promises”
English group? Now it is driving me crazy. Google was no help.
remember we all were on the “Just Listen” thread (my joni mitchelisque diary) during pie at dk. and both of you were fighting each other at the end.
well, I deleted that one,so there is no evidence. no rovian intent there, just general principle. the pie-response thang on BMT–the only time I got truly mad at aravia, was also deleted, I’ve noticed.
at any rate, i am happy to have found a new den, and all the viper affinity groups (VAGs) are a blast. It’s like being served chocolate eclairs for breakfast.
Thanks. English right?
Yup.
And you know the skipster is cross-posting this stuff, right? Don’t make it about BMT. Hell…if you weren’t such a pain in the ass, you’d have been welcome member here. Not everyone can shrug off your white-hot blasts like I can, and not take it personally…you prick.
To quote, umm, you: Heh. I just posted something about Jackie in the Open Thread before I saw this diary.
I still remember 10 years ago when they retired Robinson’s number across MLB. I believe he and Wayne Gretzky are the only 2 players out of the 4 major sports to have their numbers retired across their respective leagues.
Great piece on the debut on Friday’s “Countdown” — appropriate too considering Keith Olbermann’s background as a baseball historian of sorts.
Evidently there was talk of the white baseball players walking out on strike if Robinson was allowed to play — it was threatened sanctions by the commissioner of the day that stopped it. And of all people, Stan Musial stepped up and told his teammates that integration was coming, like it or not, and he was going to continue to play regardless.
The video might still be available over at MSNBC.com if you’re so inclined.
Baseball was also fortunate that Robinson was a damn good player — if he’d hit .197 instead of .297, it might have taken another 5-10 years before anyone was willing to take a chance on a black ballplayer.
When you think about it, Robinson paved the way not just for African-American baseball players, but for other minorities as well — there wouldn’t be the Alou brothers, A-Rod, etc. It’s possible that there wouldn’t be an Ichiro or Dice-K if Jackie hadn’t been there.
When I opened this up I was hoping that this would be a long overdue opportunity to trash Armando. No such luck. But while I’m here, let me just say… 😉
When I opened this up, I thought that Armando had arrived for good, bottle in hand, at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
I didn’t open this, because it said “Armando” on it.
AG
But if you didn’t open it, then how did you see this message of mine?
It’s like the old joke about the hillbilly mother who sent her kid in college a letter that said: “I’m sorry, I was going to send you some money, but I had already sealed the envelope.”
Incidentally, I thought my riff on Armando’s title of 42 was kind of clever but it seems to have either gone over everyone’s head, or was seen as too obvious to mention.
Absolutely – clever indeed and towel day is almost upon us.
I opened this because it said Armando,..kinda of like putting your finger into an electrical outlet.
But don’t forget all those who didn’t get a chance 42 had.
http://www.nlbm.com/
Interesting site – thanks.