Many of you have been hearing quite a bit already about today being the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s entrance into the league. It’s certainly a special occasion that has special bearing on baseball, sports and American culture and history at large, so there are certainly plenty today that have tried to encapsulate the significance of Robinson and his legacy. Given my enormous amount of interest and respect for baseball history, I’m rather compelled to follow suit. However, I’m extremely fond of the eulogy Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered back in 1972:
“Today we must balance the tears of sorrow with the tears of joy. Mix the bitter with the sweet in death and life. Jackie as a figure in history was a rock in the water, creating concentric circles and ripples of new possibility. He was medicine. He was immunized by God from catching the diseases that he fought. The Lord’s arms of protection enabled him to go through dangers seen and unseen, and he had the capacity to wear glory with grace. Jackie’s body was a temple of God. An instrument of peace. We would watch him disappear into nothingness and stand back as spectators, and watch the suffering from afar. The mercy of God intercepted this process Tuesday and permitted him to steal away home, where referees are out of place, and only the supreme judge of the universe speaks.”
I’ve always found this a very moving, very appropriate eulogy. And though Jackie’s place is special, it’s important to remember that in the game (just like in all things), there are many who help pave a better way of things just as there are those who fear and loathe the change. On this day, it’s advisable to also think of others who overcame adversity or fought prejudice to make for a better game: Jim Abbott, Roy Campanella, Roberto Clemente, Larry Doby, Josh Gibson, Hank Greenberg, Buck O’Neill, Satchel Paige, Pee Wee Reese, Branch Rickey, Frank Robinson, Willie Stargell, Bill Veeck, those who helped build and support the AAGPBL and others still. Finally, two great quotes to live by:
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” - Jackie Robinson
“It’s not the honor you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind.” - Branch Rickey
