Tagged: Jackie Robinson
Dodgers with Presidential Names
Happy Presidents Day!
This was fun looking up all the Dodger players who have “Presidential” names. In the list, there are three Hall of Famers.
Gary Carter
Jackie Roosevelt Robinson
Hack Wilson.
Here the complete list:
Adams, Terry 2000-01
Carter, Gary 1991
Carter, Lance 2006
Ford, Hod 1925
Grant, Jim 1968
Jackson, Edwin 2003-05
Jackson, Randy 1956-58
Johnson, Brian 2001
Johnson, Charles 1998
Johnson, Jason 2008
Johnson, Lou 1965-67
Johnson, Reed 2010
Johnson, Fred Ivy 1924
Johnson, Jimmy 1916-25
Kennedy, Adam 2012
Kennedy, Bob 1957
Kennedy, Brick Yard 1892-1901
Kennedy, John 1965-66
Nixon, Al 1915-16,18
Nixon, Otis 1997
Jackie Roosevelt Robinson 1947-1956
Theodore Roosevelt Lilly 2010-13
Taylor, Danny 1932-36
Taylor, Harry 1946-48
Taylor, Zack 1920-25, 35
Washington, Ron 1977
Wilson, Eddie 1936-37
Wilson, Hack 1932-34
Wilson, Robert 1958
Wilson, Steve 1991-93
Wilson, Tex 1924
Wilson, Tom 2004
What’s My Line Jackie Robinson
It was 42 years ago today, October 24, 2014, that Jackie Robinson passed away.
Jackie Robinson was honored in a ceremony during the 1972 World Series. Two weeks later, on October 24, 1972, the legendary ball player died at his home in Stamford, Connecticut from a second heart attack.
Three days after Robinson’s death, Reverend Jesse Jackson gave a stirring eulogy to friends and family members who had gathered at the Cypress Hill Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
| 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. |
| Jackie Robinson Eulogy by Reverend Jesse Jackson |
Here is a youtube video from the show “What’s My Line:
Thank you Mr. Jackie Robinson!
No Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium for 2014
Initiated for the first time on April 15, 2004, Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated each year on that day. In 2004, The Dodgers were playing in San Diego. but starting in 2005, the Dodgers have been celebrating Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium. That tradition has been broken as the Dodgers will be in San Francisco on April 15, 2014.
I had taken it for granted that the Dodgers would always play at Dodger Stadium on April 15. Needless to say I am disappointed at the people who create the schedule and at the Dodgers that they did not push for this day to always be played at Dodger Stadium.
Just like many other Dodger fans, we will miss celebrating at Dodger Stadium. On that day, through Dodger Stadium, you could see fans sporting their Jackie Robison jerseys or t-shirts. One year I spotted the guy below wearing a Pasadena College jersey with Jackie’s number in the back. I also spotted a similar jersey from UCLA
We are very proud that Jackie Robinson went to Pasadena College and that he went to UCLA. Also that he broke the color barrier wearing a Brooklyn Dodger uniform.
I will wear my Jackie Robinson jersey at work since I won’t be going to San Francisco.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Object
This week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is Object. http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/photo-challenge-object/ From the link:
In this week’s challenge, I’d like you to use one tangible object as both your inspiration and subject. It can be the obvious focal point of your shot — like my husband’s juggling ball above, snapped on a beach on the north shore of Kauai. Or you can get creative and find other ways to feature your object — the only requirement is it must be somewhere in your frame.
This week, in a post created specifically for this challenge, share a photo of one object.
On this day January 31, my object photo inspiration is this nine foot tall bust of Jackie Robinson outside the Pasadena City Hall.
Jackie Robinson would have been 95 today. Someone asked me why on the Eve of Superbowl, why I am wearing a Dodger baseball jersey. I told this person I am commemorating the birthday of Jackie Robinson, a hero and an inspiration to us all. Jackie Robinson paved the way for a change in American society that has continued since his debut at Ebbett’s Field on April 15th 1947.
Happy Birthday Jackie!
“42” Movie Review
I have been so busy that I have not updated my blog in a long time. I had part of this short review of the movie “42” in draft so I finally had a chance to finish it
A group of us (Lorena, Amanda Rosie, Josie, Elisa, my brother Vic and I) went to see the movie “42” on Saturday April 13. We went to a theater in Pasadena . I loved the movie but I was left with “is that the end?” It could have been longer as far as I was concern. It was too short.
Harrison Ford does an excellent job of portraying Branch Rickey. Ben Chapman got under my skin so he was doing his part acting. Chadwick Boseman portrays a quiet dignity like his character, Jackie while at the same time showing that he is controlling his anger. Nicole Behaire was delightful as Rachel Robinson. Boseman and Behaire played a cute on-screen couple.
If the movie makes you read more about this era, about Jackie Robinson who died so young, about Baseball pioneer, Branch Rickey then is doing its job. I for one, pulled two books I had purchased from libraries that were marked “discarded” They are “Opening Day the story of Jackie Robinson first season”
and “The Story of Branch Rickey”
Another book is
from Branch Rickey’s Little Blue Book:
Luck Is the Residue of Design – Branch Rickey.
I took my brother to see the plaque in front where Jackie Robinson’s mom moved with her kids in Pasadena. The house is no longer there but there is a plaque there.
I also took my brother to see the sculptures in front of the Pasadena City Hall of Jackie and his brother.
Jackie Robinson sculpture in front of the Pasadena City Hall. You can see Mack Robinson sculpture in the picture too. Mack is facing the City Hall, while Jackie is facing Brooklyn.
I hope that you too went out to the library or bookstore to read more about Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey and about this era in Baseball history.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Change “42”
I was looking at my pictures for inspiration to this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge: Change. http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/weekly-photo-challenge-change/ When I saw a photo of Jackie Robinson, I said Yes! what better picture for me to represent Change than Jackie Robinson
This picture where Jackie Robinson is agreeing to the terms of then Brooklyn Dodgers president and general Manager Branch Rickey signifies not only a change in Baseball but a change in America.
Branch Rickey had a long conversation with Jackie wanting to know if he would be able to take the racial abuse he was sure to be subjected to without fighting back. “Are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?” Jackie asked. Rickey replied that he was looking for someone “with guts enough not to fight back.” Jackie agreed and Rickey signed him to a contract for $600 a month.
“There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.” -Jackie Robinson
After his baseball career ended Robinson continued to work as a civil rights activist working tirelessly for equality. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said that Jackie was “a legend and a symbol in his own time”, and that he “challenged the dark skies of intolerance and frustration.” (Dr. King was still a college student when Jackie took the field on April 15, 1947).
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” -Jackie Robinson
Movie 42. Play 42 Baseball
As I was looking for a hotel at Camelback Ranch I saw this
https://www.marriottrewards42.com/
You Could Win a Trip to LA for the 42 Premiere Screening!
And step up to the plate every day for a chance to win tickets to 42!
naturally I entered the contest.
Afterwards I saw the preview of the movie.
Man! I am going to need some kleenex when I go see the movie!
We can never thank Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey enough.
Go Dodgers! Heading to Camelback Ranch this weekend.
Dodgers: Be the first MLB team in the US to have a Jackie Robinson statue
I received an email from SABR Chapter titled “Statues” What an incredible work this is! Here is part of what the email said:
World’s first database of baseball’s statues compiled by UK researchers
The first ever database of statues commemorating baseball’s biggest stars has been compiled by researchers from the University of Sheffield, UK.
From ballparks to sports bars, museums to city squares and schools to cemeteries, life-size bronze depictions of men, women and children enjoying the national pastime can be found all across the US and Canada.
The striking database, at http://www.sportingstatues.com, records over 200 baseball statues currently across the continent, featuring information on when the statues were unveiled, who sculpted them and the inscriptions on plinths or plaques, as well as images of each statue and links to location maps. 35 US states feature a baseball statue, with 70 per cent of statues located at or close to a major or minor league ballpark.
Dr Chris Stride, a statistician from the Institute of Work Psychology, University of Sheffield and Ffion Thomas, a graduate student from the University of Central Lancashire, have worked on the project for the past 18 months.
Checking the website, Jackie Robinsoon has been commemorated in five states and Canada with seven statues, the most of any player.
Robinson, Jackie 27/4/1985 Ellis, Richard Jackie Robinson Stadium, UCLA, CA
Robinson, Jackie 16/5/1987 Lasalle, Jules Parc Olympique, Montreal, Canada
Robinson, Jackie 15/9/1990 Lasalle, Jules Jackie Robinson Ballpark, Daytona, FL
Robinson, Jackie 25/2/1998 Wagner, Susan Journal Square, Jersey City, NJ
Robinson, Jackie 15/10/1999 Jeffries, Maceo Jackie Robinson Memorial Park, Stamford, CT
Robinson, Jackie 1/11/2005 Behrends, William Brooklyn Cyclones, Cyclone Park, Brooklyn, NY
Robinson, Jackie 1/11/2008 Bleifeld, Stanley National Baseball HOF Museum, Cooperstown, NY
I have only seen two of these statues, the one at UCLA and the one in Brooklyn. I hope someday to see the rest and that some day the Dodgers will have one at Dodger Stadium.
This awesome site also has a interactive map. Check out the website. I know I will be back to check more statues.
Brooklyn Dodgers. Where are they now. Marv Rackley
Marvin E. Rackley then
| Name | DOB | Birthplace | Uniform # |
| Marv Rackley | 07/25/1921 | Seneca, SC | 35 |
At age 19, Marv Rackley was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1941. He played for the Valdosta Trojans, the Durham Bulls and the Dayton Ducks.
On October 5, 1942, Rackley entered the military service with the Army Air Force at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He spent the next three years in service.
Sergeant Rackley returned to the Dodgers organization in 1946. He joined the Montreal Royals where he played alongside Jackie Robinson. Rackley batted .305 with the Royals and was in the Dodgers line-up for the second game of the season in 1947. In 18 games as a pinch-hitter and runner he batted .222 before joining the St. Paul Saints where he batted .316.
In 1948, Rackley played 88 games with the Dodgers, batted .327, but with Hermanski, Reiser, Furillo, Snider, Shuba and Whitman all vying for outfield positions there was little room for him.
On May 18, 1949, Rackley was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for first baseman/outfielder Johnny Hopp plus $25,000. Rackley reported to the Pirates with a sore throwing arm. Pirates complained they had traded for a player who was unfit. Hopp was returned to the Pirates and Rackley went back to the Dodgers (wonder what happened to the 25K) where he played in 54 games, batted .291 and appeared in two World Series games against the Yankees.
Gene Hermanski, Pee Wee Reese, Marv Rackley and Jackie Robinson, the Dodgers base stealers of 1948
In October 1949, the 28-year-old was purchased by the Reds for $60,000 but appeared in just five games the following season, spending most of the year with the Seattle Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. He spent most of 1952 with the Birmingham Barons and joined the Baltimore Orioles of the International League in 1952. 1953 he batted .320 in 111 games with the Orioles. 1954 he batted .328 with the Richmond Virginians. He ended his career with the Atlanta Crackers in 1955 when he also managed for part of the year.
Marv Rackley now
Marv Rackley still lives in his native South Carolina. I could not find a current picture of Marv Rackley.
I just noticed this is my blog post #500 !!
ref: baseballinwartime.blogspot.
Happy 94th Birthday Jackie Robinson. What Happened to that Jackie Robinson autograph?
I got excited when I opened Google and saw the google doodle with Jackie’s picture
Happy 94th birthday Mr. Robinson
At Citi Field in 2011. Picture taken by Abby.
Gerry Goran: What Happened to his Jackie Robinson autograph?
Here is a video I recorded of Gerry where he explains what happened to his Jackie Robinson autograph. Jerry, his son James and James kids, Stew and William sit in the Top Deck. You can see a little of James in the video.
Dodger Blue World 