Tag: baseball

Jackie Robinson Day

jro

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In doing so, he became the first African-American to play in the major leagues of baseball, breaking the racist colour barriers that shamefully tarnish the history of the great game of baseball.

Jackie Robinson was a wonderfully talented player who earned the praise of fans for his play on the field. He also earned praise for his courage and determination in the face of a racist society that continued to resist the equal participation of non-whites in the game and in the everyday life of the nation. Robinson faced racial taunting and violence on the field, and untold indignities and threats away from the ballpark.

Thankfully his determination led the way for more black players to follow and helped our society move along the long slow path towards changing attitudes, promoting acceptance and tolerance, and the goal of eliminating racism.

Today in all MLB parks, players will wear #42 in honour of Jackie Robinson. However, the current political and social upheaval that is causing so much pain for so many has raised troubling questions as we attempt to honour #42. The actions of the current administration, particularly in its war on diversity, equity and inclusion, have even brought into question, for some, the viability of events like Jackie Robinson Day.

To celebrate the achievements Jackie Robinson, we also need to acknowledge the painful history of racism in America that kept men like Jackie out for so long. We need to acknowledge the racism of America that has continued to place barriers for the full participation of Black Americans in the “Great American Pastime.” Is Major League Baseball fully committed to honouring Jackie Robinson, not just with words but with action? Will Major League Baseball stand up those elements who want to whitewash history and pretend that racism isn’t an issue today?

Jackie Robinson was a great baseball player who was able to show the world how great he was only when baseball began to acknowledge that the racist policies of segregation were wrong. To do that people had to know their history, not just to celebrate the good, but to acknowledge what was bad, and then strive for better. That process didn’t start and end in 1947. We must continue with that process today.

Find out more:

JackieRobinson.org

Jackie Robinson Museum

MLB: Jackie Robinson Day

Jackie Robinson Day: MLB finds itself in crosshairs of DEI purges.

Hank Aaron

Henry “Hank” Aaron was born on this day in 1934. Hank Aaron was one of the greats of the sport of baseball. He was a legendary home run hitter who would also win multiple Gold Gloves. Hank Aaron was a World Series Champion, a National League MVP, and was selected for an incredible 25 All-Star Games. More than that, he was a great human being.

The legendary Muhammad Ali, in his day considered by many to be the world’s most famous, if not greatest, athlete, said of Aaron, that he was the “only man I idolize more than myself.” (Baseball Hall of Fame).

In 1973 Aaron hit his 715th home run to pass the iconic Babe Ruth with the most ever. Aaron was under intense scrutiny as he approached the record, all the more because he was a black man who was about to break the record of a white hero, something that was unacceptable to the white supremacist ethos. Aaron faced intense racism, including death threats against him and his family. Remarkably, even in the face of such despicable conditions, he continued to perform on the field, crushing the all-time record, holding it for more than 30 years. For all who knew him personally, it was not surprising that off the field he continued to live a life of humility, dignity and integrity. Hank Aaron was an outspoken supporter of the Civil Rights movement, and spent his post-playing days working for many humanitarian and philanthropic causes.

Find out more about Hank Aaron:

Baseball Hall of Fame

Hank Aaron’s Legacy…

Civil Rights Walk of Fame

Hank Aaron’s Lasting Impact

Hank Aaron: Home Run Hero

Hank Aaron

Henry “Hank” Aaron was born on this day in 1934. Hank Aaron was one of the greats of the sport of baseball. He was a legendary home run hitter who would also win multiple Gold Gloves. Hank Aaron was a World Series Champion, a National League MVP, and was selected for an incredible 25 All-Star Games. More than that, he was a great human being.

The legendary Muhammad Ali, in his day considered by many to be the world’s most famous, if not greatest, athlete, said of Aaron, that he was the “only man I idolize more than myself.” (Baseball Hall of Fame).

In 1973 Aaron hit his 715th home run to pass the iconic Babe Ruth with the most ever. Aaron was under intense scrutiny as he approached the record, all the more because he was a black man who was about to break the record of a white hero, something that was unacceptable to the white supremacist ethos. Aaron faced intense racism, including death threats against him and his family. Remarkably, even in the face of such despicable conditions, he continued to perform on the field, crushing the all-time record, holding it for more than 30 years. For all who knew him personally, it was not surprising that off the field he continued to live a life of humility, dignity and integrity. Hank Aaron was an outspoken supporter of the Civil Rights movement, and spent his post-playing days working for many humanitarian and philanthropic causes.

Find out more about Hank Aaron:

Baseball Hall of Fame

Hank Aaron’s Legacy…

Civil Rights Walk of Fame

Hank Aaron’s Lasting Impact

Hank Aaron: Home Run Hero

Jackie Robinson

Pro baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was born on this day in 1919. An outstanding player who would go on to win MVP awards and Championships, Robinson will forever be remembered as the first African-American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He stood up to unspeakable racism with dignity and grace. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his breaking the colour barrier, Major League Baseball retired Jackie’s number, 42.

jro

Hank Aaron

The world lost a true hero last week, as Henry “Hank” Aaron passed away at the age of 86. Hank Aaron was one of the greats of the sport of baseball, one of the best players ever to put on a major league uniform. More than that, he was a great human being. The legendary Muhammad Ali, in his day considered by many to be the world’s most famous, if not greatest, athlete, said of Aaron, that he was the “only man I idolize more than myself.” (Baseball Hall of Fame). In 1973 Aaron hit his 715th home run to pass the iconic Babe Ruth with the most ever. Aaron was under intense scrutiny as he approached the record, all the more because he was a black man who was about to break the record of a white hero, something that was unacceptable to the white supremacist ethos. Aaron faced intense racism, including death threats against him and his family. Remarkably, even in the face of such despicable conditions, he continued to perform on the field, crushing the all-time record, holding it for more than 30 years. For all who knew him personally, it was not surprising that off the field he continued to live a life of humility, dignity and integrity. Hank Aaron was an outspoken supporter of the Civil Rights movement, and spent his post-playing days working for many humanitarian and philanthropic causes.

Find out more about Hank Aaron:

Baseball Hall of Fame

Hank Aaron’s Legacy…

Civil Rights Walk of Fame

Hank Aaron’s Lasting Impact

Hank Aaron: Home Run Hero

Maybe the Best Pitcher Ever

Leroy Satchel Paige
Source: Wikimedia

Satchel Paige might be the greatest pitcher in the history of baseball. Sadly, when he was in his prime he did not get the chance to compete at the highest level, as the racism of the times kept black baseball players out of the majors. After Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s colour barrier in 1947, Satchel Paige finally got to play in the big leagues in 1948 at the age of 42.  Even at that age Paige was a dominant All-Star pitcher, and he became the first Negro Leagues player to pitch in a World Series.  He retired in 1953, although he came back in his 50’s for a brief 3 inning appearance in one game in 1965.  As good as he was in his short major league career, we are left to wonder what could have been had Paige had been able to pitch in the big leagues during his prime.

 

Find out more:

Come down to the School Library to check out our book displays for Black History Month

Jackie Robinson

jroPro baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was born on this day in 1919. An outstanding player who would go on to win MVP awards and Championships, Robinson will forever be remembered as the first African-American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He stood up to unspeakable racism with dignity and grace. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his breaking the colour barrier, Major League Baseball retired Jackie’s number, 42.

Jackie Robinson Day

jroOn April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In doing so, he became the first African-American to play in the major leagues of baseball, breaking the racist colour barriers that shamefully tarnish the history of the great game of baseball. Jackie Robinson was a wonderfully talented player who earned the praise of fans for his play on the field. He also earned praise for his courage and determination in the face of a racist society that continued to resist the equal participation of non-whites in the game and in the everyday life of the nation. Robinson faced racial taunting and violence on the field, and untold indignities and threats away from the ballpark. Thankfully his determination led the way for more black players to follow and helped our society move along the long slow path towards changing attitudes, promoting acceptance and tolerance, and the goal of eliminating racism. Today in all MLB parks, players will wear #42 in honour of Jackie Robinson.

Hank Aaron

source: Hand Aaron State Trail.org

Henry “Hank” Aaron was born on this day in 1934.  He became a Major League Baseball player in 1954 and played in a remarkable career all the way until 1976.  “Hammerin’ Hank” is best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, surpassing the Babe’s 714 in 1974. Hank Aaron would finish in 1976 with 755 home runs.  Many people consider that Aaron’s mark is still the legitimate record, as it would be broken in recent years under the cloud of steroid use and accusations of cheating with PEDs.  More impressive is that Aaron displayed such tremendous skills for so long, and in the face of some horrific hate and threats of violence. As Aaron approached Babe Ruth’s record, he faced an increasing number of messages of hate and threats to his life by racists who couldn’t accept that a black man was accomplishing such a feat.  Aaron faced the hate with courage and grace. For more on Hank Aaron:

Baseball Hall of Fame

Baseball Reference

755 Homeruns.com

International Civil Rights Walk of Fame

Jackie Robinson

jroPro baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson was born on this day in 1919. An outstanding player who would go on to win MVP awards and Championships, Robinson will forever be remembered as the first African-American to play Major League Baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He stood up to unspeakable racism with dignity and grace. In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of his breaking the colour barrier, Major League Baseball retired Jackie’s number, 42.

Jackie Robinson Day

jroOn April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In doing so, he became the first African-American to play in the major leagues of baseball, breaking the racist colour barriers that shamefully tarnish the history of the great game of baseball. Jackie Robinson was a wonderfully talented player who earned the praise of fans for his play on the field. He also earned praise for his courage and determination in the face of a racist society that continued to resist the equal participation of non-whites in the game and in the everyday life of the nation. Robinson faced racial taunting and violence on the field, and untold indignities and threats away from the ballpark. Thankfully his determination led the way for more black players to follow and helped our society move along the long slow path towards changing attitudes, promoting acceptance and tolerance, and the goal of eliminating racism. Today in all MLB parks, players will wear #42 in honour of Jackie Robinson.