By Lenny Moon
When Major League Baseball legislated that each April 15th would be recognized as “Jackie Robinson Day” back in 2005, no one could have possibly foreseen that “America’s Pastime” would be out of commission along with most of the world. Then MLB commissioner Bud Selig mandated that Mr Robinson’s number 42 jersey would be permanently retired. Additionally, on that date (when there is no pandemic of course) all of the players would honor Jackie by wearing that same jersey number 42.
LennyMoonSports caught up with Houston, Tx mayor Sylvester Turner, who threw the ceremonial first pitch on “Jackie Robinson Day” a couple of seasons back. The Houston native also shared his thoughts about the significance of the landmark occurrence when the Brooklyn Dodgers inserted Robinson onto their roster and starting lineup in 1947. This represented the first African American to don the uniform of a major league baseball team. Shortly afterwards several other clubs granted other Blacks opportunities to apply their craft. Jackie’s resolve to withstand the abuse for a mission larger than himself represented a landmark accomplishment in American history. He went on to become Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player (1949), 6 time all-star (1949-54) and inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1962) in his first year of eligibility.
