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Jackie Robinson
Today major league baseball is honoring Jackie Robinson. April 15th marks the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier as the first black player in major league baseball.
When Branch Rickey, the Brooklyn Dodgers' general manager, signed Robinson to a contract there was much controversy. In 1947 when Robinson ran out on a major league baseball field there was even more controversy.
I was born a year after Robinson's ground-breaking season. But it didn't take my Grandpa Gagnon, who we called "Poppa," very long to make sure I knew who Jackie Robinson was. Poppa was a die-hard Brooklyn Dodgers fan and it was only natural that I follow in his footsteps, despite prompting from my Dad the Yankees fan.
As a kid, I collected Jackie Robinson baseball cards. I still recall negotiating for days with Bobby Gertsch, who had a 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson baseball card in his collection. Bobby collected Yankees cards, and I had a few he wanted. It took days, but we finally consumated a trade: I got the '54 Robinson in exchange for a '55 Bowman Mickey Mantle and a few 1956 Topps players like Bob Grim and Gil McDougald.
My Johnson Avenue buddies thought I'd been ripped off by the kid from Elizabeth Street. And maybe I had. But I still have that 1954 Topps Jackie Robinson baseball card on display in my home. Along with hundreds of other Robinson collectibles.
He was one of my favorite players when I was a kid, and, the more I read about him as I got older, the more of a hero he became. He was brave, determined, and somehow he remained in control at all times. His career ended in 1956, when I was just eight years old. It ended in a rather sad way.
He was 37 years old, and, after ten seasons with Brooklyn, he was traded to the crosstown enemy, the New York Giants. Rather than wear a uniform other than a Dodgers' uniform, Robinson retired. I'm embarrassed that the Dodgers' would trade him. To me it remains a blemish on the Brooklyn Dodgers' legacy.
Jackie Robinson died in 1972 and several years later I was asked to represent a national organization, the Brooklyn Dodgers Fans Hall of Fame, for a presentation. I was invited to travel to Brooklyn and meet Mrs. Jackie Robinson, Rachel, and present a plaque on behalf of Brooklyn Dodgers fans across the nation.
It was quite an honor. Rachel Robinson treated me as though I were somebody important, not just a baseball card collector and teacher from upstate New York. She spent over two hours visiting with me and my wife in her office at the Jackie Robinson Foundation in Brooklyn. She told me stories about Jackie Robinson and she shared information about the work she was doing to keep his memory alive.
Today the entire Los Angeles Dodgers' team will wear number 42, Jackie's uniform number, in his memory. Many players on other teams will wear number 42 as well. It is Jackie Robinson day in baseball. If you see me today, I'll be wearing a Jackie Robinson pin, doing my small part in celebrating a great man. He is someone who truly earned the title of hero.
Comments
Foxy; Great story! Imagine most players today make more in one year than Jackie made in his entire baseball career. Years ago the players had to hold down regular jobs during the off season to keep the money coming in to support family and pay the bills. Today ballplayers go on disabled list with a minor injury! In Jackie's day you had to be near death and the owners would theaten to cut or release you! Locker rooms today are filled with agents, personal trainers and shrinks! Jackie Robinson did more than any man to pave the way for equality in baseball and life! Most young people who watch Bo Jackson and were in awe about his playing football & baseball should read about Jackie's college days! Jackie excelled in all sports!
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | April 16, 2007 6:44 PM
It was heartening to see a commemoration of a great man who had advanced the enlightenment of millions around the world. Whereas Jackie Robinson was humble and excellent in life as in baseball, he led a nation against discrimination by deeds.
In contrast,now we have Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson who are loud instigators of African Americans for their own personal aggrandizement, and other selfish men who ruin men and another sport such as Don King and boxing for their own wealth.
Growing up in Brooklyn I had the opportunity to go to Ebbets Field with my dad to watch Jackie and Dodgers play, and me being an anomaly in Brooklyn, I was a NY Giant fan who wanted to see him and de Bums lose. However, I didn't realize at the time the sacrifices that Robinson made to give equal opportunities to blacks and all other venues than baseball.
Hats off to Jackie Robinson!!!!!!!
Posted by: skip zatonski | April 16, 2007 10:59 AM
Foxy, what a great memory. A once in a lifetime opportunity; your feet probably didn't touch the ground for a few days. For a lifetime Dodger fan that was the ultimate opportunity. My dad was born in Flatbush and was a die-hard "Bums" fan and he and I would go at it with me being a Yankee fan. He used to say I don't know where you came from, how could you root for the Yankees. Great blog and congratulations for the well deserved memory.
Posted by: Mike Mannix | April 16, 2007 7:28 AM