This weekend marks the 60th anniversary of the the day Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League baseball. If you haven’t learned about the life of this great man, there a myriad books you can read. I’m sure there will be television specials. Educate yourself.
Robinson was a great man: he held his tongue, he held his temper, and he changed the world. The civil rights movement got an incredible jump-start through Robinson’s bravery. All Americans owe him a debt of gratitude for his courage and class.
He was also, as we easily forget, a GREAT baseball player. There may have never been a better technician in the craft of stealing home than Robinson. Think about it. It’s the most difficult play in baseball (save the triple play). No other player since World War II has stolen home more than Robinson. That’s incredible.
Do yourself a favor. Check out one of the resources listed on Robinson’s wikipedia page. Educate yourself about this quiet Giant of American history.
As a postlude, I’ll add the fact that Robinson was a Republican. That little factoid tweaks all the right noses. 
April 12, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Back then, Republicans were still considered the “socially aware” group, and Democrats the “war mongers”. My how times do change!
April 15, 2007 at 10:05 am
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