Word: robinsons
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...green, the dirt is brown and the players are white. Fifty years ago this week, a rookie first bagger for the Brooklyn Dodgers stepped into the batters box in Ebbets field and changed the face of the game forever. Acting Commissioner Bud Selig explained the significance of Jackie R. Robinson's act, saying that for most of its time baseball has believed in the principle that no player is above the game, except Jackie Robinson...
...Robinson's act, coming seven years before the Supreme Court struck down "separate but equal," anticipated the coming of the civil rights movement and had an impact on his team, his sport, his race and, most importantly, his country. He opened the door for Willie Mays, Ken Griffey, Jr. and countless others to enter and compete on the same playing field with all of the best players in the world...
However, people consistently over-look how he shattered the myth that the South had a monopoly on racism. The North prided itself in being more tolerant than the South. Yet when Robinson entered the field, he was incessantly mocked and jeered in the North where all of the major league teams were located. Pitchers threw inside to intimidate him; fans released black cats onto the field; opposing players repeatedly attempted to spike him, once causing a seven-inch gash on Robinson's leg. Moreover, countless teams tried organizing boycotts to prevent Robinson from playing on their fields...
...Robinson's teammates were no better. With the exception of players like Pee Wee Reese and Dodger president Branch Rickey, whites on the team left Robinson alone to struggle against racial hatred and intolerance. Off the field, Robinson was subjected to the perpetual threat of violence hanging over his head. A weaker man would have understandably crumbled under the pressure and perhaps delayed the racial integration for years. Had Robinson been a mediocre player his actions would have been amazing enough. Yet Jackie Robinson was one of the most outstanding players to ever play the game. His decade...
First, I am glad that baseball has decided to dedicate this season to Robinson. Nevertheless, I think we should not forget that it was Robinson who broke the color barrier, it was not baseball who welcomed Robinson with open arms. I get the impression that the recent celebrations of Robinson's remarkable feat tend to have the look-how-we-let-Jackie-Robinson-integrate-baseball feel to it. While there were some men like Rickey, the ruling brass of baseball did not look to kindly on having a black player in the majors. Robinson's class and integrity was enough...