Celebrate Jackie Robinson Day April 15

On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers broke major league baseball’s color barrier wearing #42.  He was subjected to the most abject verbal abuse anyone could take.  His talent and humanity propelled him and baseball towards a modern era.  All major league teams playing today will wear #42 to honor the Pasadena native and UCLA alum.

You have some choices in how you can honor this day.  The first is easy, watch a game…any game to note how much and how little baseball has changed.

Second, you can tune in the #42 movie made in 2013 starring Chadwick Boseman, T.R. Knight, Harrison Ford, and Nicole Beharie. Lastly, pick  up a copy of Howard Bryant’s excellent book “Kings and Pawns” at bookstores everywhere.  Here’s a taste of what’s in store.  https://www.npr.org/2026/01/17/nx-s1-5677310/sportswriter-howard-bryant-talks-about-his-book-kings-and-pawns

Bryant is an old friend and has written a number of books that closely examine race and sports.  He’s a regular on ESPN whenever there’s a an issue on both topics.

With a little luck, Bryant will do a book signing at Arvida Books in Old Town Tustin.  The subject of this book is timeless.