A few years ago, I read a book about Branch Rickey. He was the Dodgers' GM and one of the most important baseball executives ever.
I was fascinated with the Jackie Robinson chapter.
Jackie was 28 when he broke "the color line" in 1947.
He played in Montreal (a Dodgers' minor league team) in 1946 before joining the Dodgers on opening Day 1947.
He was already an accomplished player in The Negro Leagues. Jackie was a young shortstop and played against Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige.
Mr. Rickey wanted a great baseball player. He wanted a strong man, a man with the character to face the abuse and pressure destined for the first black player.
Robinson turned out the be a Hall of Famer. He was also a great human being. After baseball, Jackie became a civil rights activist!
Today, we remember one of the best: Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers!
