Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson today, the 69th anniversary of Robinson and the Dodgers breaking the color barrier. All players will wear 42 in games on this Friday. This day serves as both a celebration of a brave man and a reminder of how easy it is for a large group of people to believe and cling to something that is wrong. If baseball were a religion, this would be the day of atonement.
I still see baseball accused of racism often, despite the ever expanding countries and cultures now represented in the game. Fair enough. Baseball earned that scrutiny. A great positive on race for the game that tends to be ignored is the integration of the Southern Leagues, that helped lead to the end of segregation in general. I recommend Bruce Adelson’s book, Brushing Back Jim Crow.
Enjoy the celebration! At some point in the last few years, Robinson moved from hero to legend. His legend might wind up looming over the game more than Babe Ruth.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/1qYdZsp
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