![]() Kris Bryant hits the open market in 2021, but baseball’s ongoing free agent freeze could be help the Cubs in their attempt to retain their all-star third baseman.Vincent has challenged students to “be kind or be nothing.” Renowned anthem singer John Vincent hosts an ongoing anti-bullying program at local schools.Here’s a great article that shows how baseball writers covered Robinson’s debut. It is not just baseball that owes a debt of gratitude to Jack Roosevelt Robinson, it is all of mankind. “I am extremely proud and pleased,” Robinson said to a capacity crowd at Riverfront Stadium and a national television audience of 60 million, “but I will be more pleased the day I can look over at third base and see a black man as a manager.”ĭespite virulent racism – from insults to beanballs, and from hate mail to death threats directed at him and his family - Robinson maintain his stoic courage. In a brief speech, he criticized the sport for not having a black manager. Yet Robinson continued to fight for equality in baseball for the rest of his life. Before Game 2 of the 1972 World Series, Robinson was honored by baseball. Campanella felt Robinson stirred up too much trouble, while Robinson thought the catcher was too reserved in his opposition of the racist status quo.Īfter he retired, Robinson frequently butted heads with Malcolm X, who believed the ballplayer hadn’t been militant enough during his days in MLB. Though the basis for those rumors is genuinely unfounded, some players did vote whether or not to strike on Opening Day that season.Įven his black teammates chastised Robinson after he paved the way for their acceptance in baseball. The all-star’s sometimes outspoken nature regarding civil rights contrasted with the calm of catcher Roy Campanella, who joined the Dodgers in 1948. It was rumored that National League president Ford Frick had to head off a players’ strike, instigated by the Cardinals, that sought to force Robinson from baseball in 1947. And it wasn’t just pitchers, Robinson was often spiked by opposing runners. Between 19, Robinson was hit by 52 pitches, many thrown at his head at a time when batters did not wear helmets. Robinson faced pitchers who would rather see him dead than stepping into the batter’s box. During Robinson’s first season with Brooklyn, Jimmy Cannon wrote, “In the clubhouse Robinson is a stranger…He is the loneliest man I have ever seen in sports.” Now imagine being forced to endure that, and to do so respectfully, no matter the opposition or the hatred.Īnd imagine being similarly hated by your teammates and the fans of the baseball team for which you play just because you look different than everybody else. Imagine that despicable and deplorable invective being hurled at you hundreds of times a day by people you’ve never met previously, who hated you for no other reason but the color of your skin. It’s awful to write, even in truncated form, and vile to say and hear. I don’t want to shock anybody, but think about the N-word for a second. Yesterday was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jackie Robinson and there was no shortage of baseball specials featuring the history-making Hall of Fame infielder. Today - and every day - we celebrate Jackie Robinson on what would've been his 100th birthday. Well, we made it to the other side of that mini Ice Age, so pat yourselves on the back and let us march forward to spring, shall we? If you’re lucky enough to be going to Arizona or Florida for spring training, you’re about 10 days away. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” – Rogers Hornsby “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball.
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