Who remembers the history of Jackie Robinson?

[kentuck]

http://www.biography.com/people/jackie-robinson-9460813#baseball-hero

<snip>
The harassment continued, however, most notably by the Philadelphia Phillies and their manager, Ben Chapman. During one infamous game, Chapman and his team shouted derogatory terms at Robinson from their dugout. Many players on opposing teams threatened not to play against the Dodgers. Even his own teammates threatened to sit out. But Dodgers manager Leo Durocher informed them that he would sooner trade them than Robinson. His loyalty to the player set the tone for the rest of Robinson's career with the team.

Others defended Jackie Robinson's right to play in the major leagues, including League President Ford Frick, Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler, Jewish baseball star Hank Greenberg and Dodgers shortstop and team captain Pee Wee Reese. In one incident, while fans harassed Robinson from the stands, Reese walked over and put his arm around his teammate, a gesture that has become legendary in baseball history.

<snip>
Robinson also became a vocal champion for African-American athletes, civil rights, and other social and political causes. In July 1949, he testified on discrimination before the House Un-American Activities Committee. In 1952, he publicly called out the Yankees as a racist organization for not having broken the color barrier five years after he began playing with the Dodgers.
===============

It may be noteworthy that Happy Chandler, Baseball Commissioner and PeeWee Reese, shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers were both from the state of Kentucky.

[badtoworse]

1. I believe he retired rather than play for the Giants

I'm not if that was out of loyalty to the Dodgers or whether the Giants were assholes (My father was a Dodger fan and would have had a strong opinion about that.) Baseball was very different in the 50's.

[jaysunb]

2. It may also be noteworthy that he was a Republican,

as were my parents and most of the Black folks in our community.

Funny how things change.

[upaloopa]

4. He grew up in Pasadena, CA. I think it was a wealth repub town

[jaysunb]

6. I live in Pasadena....

it is not now or then totally wealthy. Back then most of the minority residents were servants to the wealthy, including Robinsons Mother who was a maid to one of the local biggies.

[upaloopa]

7. I lived in Highland Park south of Pasadena

We took part in the DoDa parade because we could never get entered in the Rose Bowl parade.

[jwirr]

8. Back in the 50s many people still belonged to the Rs Party because it was the party of Abraham

Lincoln. My grandparents were white but they loved Abraham Lincoln. Some changed when FDR was in but not all.

[kentuck]

10. "Voted for Eisenhower 'cause Lincoln won the War"

John Prine

[spanone]

13. one of my favorites from Mr. Prine.

[upaloopa]

3. 42 - The Jackie Robinson Story

Warner Bros. Entertainment
42 is a 2013 biographical film written and directed by Brian Helgeland about the life of baseball player Jackie Robinson.

http://42movie.warnerbros.com/

[KinMd]

5. From the movie "42"

every season,, on the anniversary of Jackie's first game, all players on all teams wear number 42

[RufusTFirefly]

11. And Robinson was reportedly a bit a hothead

That made his feat all that more extraordinary in my eyes. I guess I always assumed that in addition to getting the nod for his amazing skills that he was chosen because of a reputation for keeping his cool. Apparently not. Yet despite enduring almost continuous abuse, Robinson kept it together. He was an inspiring role model in so many ways.

When I was a kid, the childhood bedroom of my Canadian uncle had wallpaper that featured an artist's rendering of various baseball scenes -- including one of Robinson sliding into home, wearing the uniform of the Montréal Royals, his triple-A club.

[spanone]

12. a true american hero.