Certainly, this is no April Fool's story, but a reminder of a man who did so much to change baseball - and America - forever.
An item in "BaseballLibrary.com" noted "55 years ago today (on April 1, 1947), Branch Rickey deflects pressure on Jackie Robinson by keeping him in Montreal, although it is clear the contending Dodgers can use the 1946 International League batting king."
The rest, as they say, is history. Jackie Robinson did come up in 1947 and became the Rookie of The Year - an accomplishment that was an indication of the greatness to follow.
Jackie Robinson's contributions to baseball as a player are given testimony by his election to the Hall of Fame.
Equally important, however, was what the act of breaking the color line by Robinson and Branch Rickey contributed to the opening of American society. Have no doubt that the coming of Jackie Robinson was as significant a single step as any other that has ever affected American life.
For a variety of reasons,those of us old enough to remember recall the era in which Robinson played. To many, he solidified the Brooklyn team that was to contend for many years. Not too commonly recalled, perhaps, is the fact that while he never stole bases in the numbers achieved by other players, his presence on base was an occasion for excitement.
Indeed, it is probable that in those early days of televised baseball, the "split screen" was developed to picture Robinson on first base simultaneously with another camera on the rest of the unfolding action.
Major League Baseball honored Jackie with the retirement of his number by all teams a few years ago. I prefer to remember the excitement he generated in Ebbets Field in my youth.
My last recollection of seeing him occurred some years after he retired. He was then an executive in New York City. One day, while walking in Midtown, I saw a gray haired individual heading my way. His gait was the unmistakable pigeon-toed Robinson stride. I greeted him and we chatted briefly. It was a pleasant encounter for this baseball (and Robinson) fan.
In any case, Americans - baseball fans or not - should appreciate what Jackie Robinson did for all of us - of all colors.
» Sam Person is a retired CPA and university professor of accounting. He has been a baseball fan for over sixty years and enjoys writing on baseball history.
Also by Sam Person
» The Search For Dean Chance
» Baseball Returns to Brooklyn, New York: You Can't Go Home Again
» On The John Rocker Trade
» DiMaggio for Williams: The Trade That Never Happened
» My Favorite Events at Each Position
» Some More Jewish Baseball Players
» My Brother’s Baseball Cards
» Strange Endings to Baseball Careers
» The Pitching Change
» More submissions
Copyright © 2002 by Sam Person. Posted April 1, 2002.
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