Yesterday Major League Baseball and the office of the commissioner, in it's infinite wisdom, decided to make it mandatory for all uniformed personel—players, coaches, managers, and umpires—to wear Jackie Robinson's number 42 in an attempt to honor the man and his accomplishments.
This was a foolhardy exercise bound up in P.C. chains and force-fed to the baseball viewing public.
I am heartened to see a fair number of the residents of Bleacher Report saw this ruse for what it was; did not blindly roll over, lick the boot of Commissioner Bud, and tell him what a wonderful thing it was he had done.
I never saw Jackie Robinson play—was too young for that. I was there at a tender age when he had his number retired, along with Sandy Koufax and Roy Campanella though. I wondered why someone not even wearing a Dodger jersey was being shown so much love and respect.
So I did a bit of research on the man and discovered his story, a proud story that I am confident the readers here know well.
I also remember in 1987, when Major League Baseball decided to rename the Rookie Of The Year award in honor of Jackie, who was it's first recipient. Sadly, the follow through on that honor has been as weak as a throw from the warning track by Juan Pierre.
If Commissioner Bud and Major League Baseball want to really honor Jackie Robinson, instead of stripping the name and number from all active personnel, why don't they emphasise the proper name of his award, the Jackie Robinson Award?
And a pox on the house of every media outlet which does not comply with this 23-year old directive.
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