Chicago White Sox Morning BP (4/15): Honoring Jackie Robinson
Apr 15, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10), wearing a Jackie Robinson commemorative jersey, throws to first base in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox had their day off on Monday, and tonight they bring their 7-6 overall record back to US Cellular Field to host the Boston Red Sox, who enter this game at 5-8 on the season.
Tonight’s game is more than about baseball, because Tuesday, April 15 is the annual Jackie Robinson Day, the day honoring Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson for being the player who broke the color barrier in MLB, making his debut on this date in 1947 for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
In a Chicago Sun-Times article it talks with White Sox players who are “awed” by everything Robinson endured and how he overcame it.
The Sun-Times article quotes Marcus Semien:
"“I know Jackie Robinson was a man with a lot of courage and a lot of heart. It took a lot of that to be able to show up and hold your own. To be able to focus on baseball, that’s hard enough. Dealing with all the stuff that was going on at that time, he did a great job and opened a lot of doors for everyone.”"
I’ve read a lot on Robinson throughout the years (in college I did a speech on him), and I respect everything about the man.
How anyone endured all that he did and ignored the ignorance of the folks who had no real reason to dislike him … he was a national hero. He was a hero for not just for his baseball playing ability, but for how he began to change the thinking of this country.
He was one of many who helped change the culture of the United States, and he was the start of the sport of baseball becoming what it has become today, with players from all around the world taking part in this great game, no matter their skin color.
If you watch any MLB game today, when players are honoring Robinson all around this great game with all players, managers, coaches and umpires wearing the No. 42, say “Thank You” to Robinson as well, because without him and all that he endured — on and off — the baseball diamond, the game we enjoy so much wouldn’t look the way it does today.
In other White Sox news:
• ESPN Chicago has a “stock watch” article with Alexei Ramirez being one of the risers on the White Sox. Matt Lindstrom‘s stock had dropped according to the article by Doug Padilla.
• Here is a series preview for the White Sox vs. Red Sox series from the Chicago Tribune.
• CSN Chicago wrote about how the GM of the Cleveland Indians isn’t surprised with the success of the White Sox.
• ICYMI … The White Sox signed reliever Frank Francisco, as stated in this Southside Showdown article.
• Southside Showdown has a Q/A with BoSox Injection of FanSided about the upcoming series.
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