Jackie Robinson

[MegaAstrodude]

They didn't let Eddie Gaedel play and they won't even apologize for their height discrimination. At least Robinson got an apology and Hall of Fame despite getting only about 1500 hits in the Major Leagues.

[raiderred1992]

@MegaAstrodude Gaedel did have one AB, was walked on four pitches, replaced with a pinch runner and he was only signed as a publicity stunt! He wasn't discriminated against, he just didnt have the talent. And Jackie has a lifetime batting average of 311 with 748 career RBIs and was known for exception defense. He would have earned the Hall of Fame even if he were white.

Get your facts straight

[MegaAstrodude]

@raiderred1992,

"Get your facts straight"

The rules were changed to institute a minimum height requirement for the strike zone which counted pitches thrown over Gaedel's head as strikes. If you change the rules to block a player, you're discriminating. Besides, a major league pitcher should be able to hit the real Gaedel strike zone.

"And Jackie has a lifetime batting average of 311 with 748 career RBIs and was known for exception defense. "

Yes, he was an excellent player.

[MegaAstrodude]

@raiderred1992,

"he was only signed as a publicity stunt!"

We, the American and now global public, don't watch professional baseball to see grown men scratch their crotches in the dugout. We watch it for entertainment. If we wanted to watch baseball sans entertainment value we'd do the following:

Get rid of the DH

Re-institute some of the dead-ball era rules(though we'd keep the batting helmets)

Shrink the rosters

Shrink the glove sizes

Make the outfields larger

[HeadfirstLuke]

2:01 who is standing next to robinson?

[woodlarr]

@HeadfirstLuke Gil Hodges

[HeadfirstLuke]

@woodlarr thanks

[blueskyman1]

The bravest man who ever played professional sports

[OurTimeIsOut]

Hello. If you know anyone who is interested in original Jackie Robinson photos and other ball players let me know. I have some listed on Ebay now. Thanks

[ultrastar1999]

You now Jackie Robinson is actualy my cousin nl lie!!!!

[vivascargill]

@ultrastar1999 oh my God!

[GilHodgesFan]

There will never be another team like the Brooklyn Dodgers. I miss Jackie, Gil, Campy, Preacher, Johnny Podres, Pee Wee and I was only three years old when the team moved to LA and I live in Iowa. Just reading about the team and the members makes me miss them! I am sure hoping Gil Hodges makes it into the Hall soon!!!

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan have you read "Praying for Gil Hodges"?

[GilHodgesFan]

@vivascargill Yes I have. I have also read "The Quiet Man" about Gil's days as NY Mets Manager. The Quiet Man and Delores Kearns Goodwin's book "Wait Til Next Year" both have touching stories of being young fans and meeting Gil Hodges in person. He had a wonderful way of making young kids feel special when he met them as if he was their fan and not vice versa and he didn't charge fans for his autograph like alot of baseball players do today. If you like Gil you would enjoy these 2 books also

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan I have read Doris' book (she lives near me oneday I want to ask her how she became a red sox fan) Gil was a wonderful man--there has been no other team for me

[GilHodgesFan]

@vivascargill I knew that I mangled Doris's name! I should know her name as she wrote a couple of books about LBJ which I've read and her husband Dick Goodwin was a speech writer for Robert Kennedy. For some reason I always call her Delores!!! Her book "Wait Til Next Year" was such an excellent book about the Brooklyn Dodgers from a fan's perspective and her stories about meeting Gil Hodges when he was signing autographs and Jackie Robinson inscribing her autograph book are just priceless.

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan It is a great book which makes it all the more perplexing that she became a red sox fan ( check out a book about therm called "ShutOut") I am not going to go into into because my blood pressure goes up--of all teams the Red Sox!

[GilHodgesFan]

@vivascargill Another positive note about Campy. He left his first wife because of emotional and physical abuse after he was paralyzed, not to mention she cheated on him. He later met a very nice woman (a nurse) who was completely devoted to him and him to her. They were married and were very happy together.

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan more good news new movie about Jackie is in the works--will keep you posted

[GilHodgesFan]

@vivascargill Please do keep me posted. I definitely want to see the Jackie Robinson film :)

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan I'll let you know more as soon as I know

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan This is what I found out: there's a new film out in the works and Robert Redford beat out Spike Lee to do a remake of this American Icon's life on and off the baseball diamond.Hey when it comes out compare it with the original with Jackie and Ruby Dee.

[GilHodgesFan]

@vivascargill Sounds like it will be a good movie if Robert Redford is involved in the project. I have never seen the original movie. I wonder if it is available to rent. Is Jackie Robinson actually in the original??

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan the original is on TV from time to time I bet you can rent it.

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan PS Yes Jackie plays himself in the original

[dal4018]

@vivascargill Thanks Viva this man had a 60's mentality in the 30-40's he punched out a white officer for calling him and a black enlisted soldier NIGGER!!!!!!!

[dal4018]

@GilHodgesFan Redford beat out Spike Lee for the rights to direct this movie about this icon.

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan I have a friend who knows a lot of sports writers plus the pres of the Redsox--she PLEADED with them to vote Gil into the Hall--I assume Duke gets a vote Carl Erskine does not which shows you that sometimes real class gets in like Duke but sometimes it does not--anyway there is a Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of fame and for me that is all that counts. Gil Duke Jackie Pee Wee Clem they are all in it--and will never be forgotten

[GilHodgesFan]

@vivascargill I don't know what sports writers or the Vets Commitee has against Gil for the HOF but when drug sellers like Cepeda can get in the Hall I don't understand why Gil can't. Steroid user Barry Bonds who should have his record stripped will probably get in the Hall before Gil. You are right, Carl Erskine is a class act. Hopefully he, Labine, Furillo, Hodges, etc will never be forgotten. All the Brooklyn Dodgers are in their fans Hall of Fame.

[vivascargill]

@GilHodgesFan yup!! what you said!! I don't think there is much danger of them being forgotten--its been 52 years and they've only gotten burned more brightly not just in contemporary fans memories but in younger people's as well

[GilHodgesFan]

I found out on Amazon.com there is going to be a new book out about Carl Furillo. Can't wait to get it. I have books about Snider, Hodges, Robinson, Erskine, and Podres. There is an excellent book called Through A Blue Lens:The Brooklyn Dodgers Photographs with tons of great photos of the Brooklyn team and players.

[loyaldude10]

too bad jackie died in 1972----just 3 yrs b4 Frank Robinson became first Afr Americ mgr in MLB

[GilHodgesFan]

Jackie really had to keep his cool during all the taunting that went on, especially when the Dodgers played in the South. My favorite player besides Gil Hodges was Roy Campanella. It was strange to find out that Jackie and Roy didn't get along that well. Campy thought Jackie complained too much about racial issues when he should be happy to be playing Major League baseball. Jackie thought Campy was too complacent. It was really just a difference in personalilites. Campy was a quiet guy.

[loyaldude10]

@GilHodgesFan ---Campy may have been quiet until someone got him pissed. But they were different in that respect. Didnt know they didnt get along so well, though not surprising

[GilHodgesFan]

@loyaldude10 They got along fine in the beginning but Jackie told Campy he should speak up more about racial issues and Campy didn't want to get involved in politics. I believe the turning point was an incident where they could stay at the same hotel as their teammates but they couldn't use the dining room, swimming pool, etc.. Campy and Newk ended up staying at a different hotel. Campy and Jackie stuck together as teammates but this incident hurt their relationship some.

[vivascargill]

@loyaldude10 if you have seen the espn series--the one on Campy his heroism was of a different kind--completely paralyzed all those years and lived and worked through it--that counts I couldn't do it.

[GilHodgesFan]

@vivascargill Totally agree with you. Campy was really something. In Carl Erskine's book Tales from the Dodger Dugout he mentions how several players went to see Campy in the hospital as soon as they were allowed to after his accident and Carl said he ended up cheering them up! Campy's positive attitude was so admirable. His first wife ended up cheating on him and was very mean to him (I think she even hit him a time or two) after he was paralyzed.

[supermanm201]

really sad wisk jackie robinson was still here

[LaMechita921]

jackie robinson first negro in baseball history

[dperkins1911]

Being a lifelong Dodgers fan and a Cali native I think of what Mr. Robinson would think of today's athletes, who for the most part get arrested, go thru babymama drama and don't display the same integrity and courage that he did when he was in Flatbush.

[fjeffrey10]

I have a video posted on Youtube of an interview I did of Jackie Robinson's grandson.

[brotherbob123]

ahhhh just the sound of me saying jackie robinson is a mirical

[junctionboys]

Whenever I think of Jack, I think of the lyrics to the song "Impossible Dream". This country is defintely better for his sacrifice. Much respect to his wife Rachel, I don't think it would have possible without her.

[ftworthxxx]

Jackie Robinson makes me swell with pride to be a Dodger Fan! He is OUR history, and no one can take away from us.

[djflipflop23]

i loove this song, and it fits jackie really well. its really sad what people did to him, he was a true hero<3.

[alemarg1221]

Jackie was a real heroe. What babe? What lou? What Joe? Jackie is a life's lesson

[wheaton87]

jackie was an uncle tom

[vivascargill]

he was not. He should not have testified against Paul Robeson but he took real heat and was down in the Delta when it counted--I know it aggravated his type 1 diabetes and killed him--he died for black liberation--literally

[honeegrrl]

LOL well he would take that as a compliment. Uncle Tom's real name was Josiah Henson and he was a true leader during slavery, he was also an abolitionist and a minister and led many black slaves to freedom. So if Jackie Wilson is an Uncle Tom, that's a good thing because had it not been for him, there would not be other blacks playing in the Major League right now so Thank you Jackie Wilson.

[feetyjr]

I like the quote from the dodgers shortstop at the time when he put his arm around jackies shoulder. I think it was "The are many reasons to hate a man, Being colored isn't one of them."

[vivascargill]

Pee Wee Reese

[polkadots1187]

whats this song called ?

[SamanthaHuq]

Jackie Robinson has made such a diffrence in the world! :)!! He has said this quote I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... all I ask is that you respect me as a human being. Everyone should be respected as a human being. Even if you are diffrent.

[mynamislegend777]

is he dead or just retired???

[SamanthaHuq]

he has died after a 60 year carrier as a baseball player.

[betos1995]

it was so mean how they would treat him just because of his skin color(who cares wat color u are) but he made it! and now we can have black people play baseball! that is the way it going to be for ever

[AntLyon]

Branch Ricky sure knew what he was doing when he chose Jackie to break the glass ceiling...nothing but class, both of them!

[mapache11]

There was no glass ceiling. It was the color barrier. A glass ceiling implies that you can only go so high in an organization, and no higher, without being able to see why. The color of someone's skin is a pretty obvious.

[mebeasty]

who is better as a ballplayer and or all around person Jackie Robinson or Willie Mays

[petec9686]

willie mays was the best all around baseball player ever.

as an all around person? no idea?

[mimi15757]

OMG all that i knew of him he was so cool. by the way he has the same b-day as me.!!!!

[dperkins1911]

Always my childhood hero

[54spiritedwill54]

Jackie Robinson is a wonderful man

[philliefanatic266]

What's the song in this?

[ballsmccoy]

"Superman" by Five for Fighting. I never heard this acoustic version before.

[AllstarFatty]

mr jack

[tcampbellla]

A Classy man.

[dperkins1911]

Mr. Robinson is a legand for all seasons.

[JJHusker]

In a word: CHARACTER

[akamiscreant]

jacky robinson was a legend in montreal quebec before he brokes in the major league we even have a statue of him in mtl he played for the royals, the dodgers farmteam at the time .he played in front of record crowds he was almost as big as maurice richard.the day the majorleague decided to do everything to destroy baseball in montreal was pure shame...

[hollabb13]

sportsmanship is all about, You will live in our memory forever,,,,,I would have loved to have gotten to meet you but maybe I can buy you a beer in heaven sometime......

[hollabb13]

Jackie Robinson trancends way beyond baseball. He elevated the character of our country and for that we all owe him a great debt of gratitude. Being the first meant he had to be the best. Had Jackie not done as well as he had bigots out there would still claim white supremacy in sports. I am a white person but my father had me wear number "42" from little league all the way through my college years at the University of Florida. Thank you Jackie for helping to show us what

[vivascargill]

well said my dad met him once to treat him for his diabetes--he came home in tears that night he knew he was going to die a terrible death . Jackie was a very great man

[dperkins1911]

Still the man who after my Pop is my idol. Mr. Robinson was what was best about our country.

[RedsoxGirl61396]

He was the most amazing and determined player. He is such an inpsirational role model not only for African Americans, but for EVERYONE. He demonstrated each day what it took and how to be a truly loved and memorible hero.

[4423j]

rip jackie u r like my rolemoel in baseball one of them

[djayricky]

FUCK THE COLOR BARRIER!!! Proud to be a Dodger Fan!!

[RedsoxGirl61396]

Omg, that was probably the most self centered, and childish thing to say. How about you go out and make a difference.

[captintrn]

R.I.P Jackie You'll Be Rembered Forever

#42 Is Jackies Number You Can't Take It Away

[djayricky]

No you can't, BUT, there is still one player wearing his number and he is due for retirement soon. Mariano Rivera, closer for the Yankees. He sports #42 because he's been wearing it before the MLB committee decided to retire Jackies' number throughout the whole League. But no future player may wear that number. :-)

[Godcorpusa]

That's what Jim Brown said recently, so I'll give you a thumbs up. Branch Richey was a great man of faith. Jackie Robinson is my favorite american hero period. He was so independen,courageous,bold, and moraly upright.

[MROSEN62]

Rickey actually does get a lot of credit. He saw his opportunity when Commissioner Landis died and was replaced by Happy Chandler, former governor of Kentucky. Landis would never allow a black to play in the majors. Rickey made the move because it was right, but also because he saw a pool of black players who he knew could help the Dodgers. He also knew that Robinson would be accepted in Brooklyn. It was my pleasure to see Jackie play at Ebbets field when I was a boy in the 50s.

[Ariamaluum]

@rdangelo. He wouldn't have been able to do this in St. Louis, his previous job. They were winning everything. The Browns maybe. Brooklyn was getting their butts kicked by the Yankees in attendance and popularity. The Giants were a foe. He had to something. But getting Jackie, Roy, and Don helped the Dodgers become perenial winners but journeymen guys like Dan Bankhead didn't stand a chance. You either had to be a superstar or else.

[vivascargill]

@rdangelo no one likes to be reminded because it is the one embarrasement in an heroic life (and Jackie apologized) not enough credit goes to Paul Robeson--Paul jr. talks about it in the ESPN series. But Branch Rickey quite rightly deserves lots of credit --which I think he does get--I hatt]e to say this O'Malley gets some credit too (he had to agree) but you know I am not going to give it to him!

[mekdemscream]

@rdangelo so so true men.

[200damary]

@rdangelo No he didn't jackie could have been killed the white guy is safe, just saying

[macmad13]

great player

[sup402]

i am doing a duumb project about him i am not saying he is dumb i am saying this project is

[MustafaHamsho]

He's your thesis-He was probably a real good guy but what was so great about him? Everyone says "he was the 1rst african-american to play in the MLB" like someone else wouldn't have

[BroadwayCarl]

It takes a special man to go out every day and play under death threats and have every player on the other team calling you nigger and taunting you to fight, but you don't for the good of the team and for the good of those who would come after you. That's what is so great about him.

By the way, check his lifetime stats too. An amazing ballplayer. And maybe you should do a little research and learn some history before asking stupid questions.

[sup402]

hi peps

[shawnbecerra]

a good player

[shaquana123445]

Jackie Robinson is a wonderful man n believe n what he was doing he is also a wonderful player god bless him we all miss u Jackie Robinson my son is doing a book on u thank u alot

[bobbybrusher09]

i love jackie!!!

[cglasby1]

Obviously Jackie changed a lot of peoples views on race, but is was not 100% of white people who were against him back then! He had support from players and owners. I wish he would have been able to play 20yrs!

[xalstarx]

nice photographic montage of jackie. however, the choice of music doesn't do it justice.

some miles davis would have been sweet.

[woodlarr]

The song was chosen for its lyrics- not so much the music

[AliasEternalNET]

@xalstarx everybody's a critic

[ps3jihad]

Without a doubt, no argument, he is the BEST,GREATEST and the only PERFECT baseball player to ever play

[Cooman456]

Did you know after he left Baseball Jackie Robinson was Vice President of "Chock Full O' Nuts"? If you live in NYC, you'd know that company. And, surprise, surprise, he supported Richard Nixon for President in 1960? Had Nixon been elected at that point, Civil Rights would have sped up quicker. Nixon's running mate, Henry Cabott Lodge said "I will put a negroe in my cabinet". Of course, "negroe" was the polite term back then.

[davidmjeong926]

I really hope Mariano Rivera gets off No.42 as soon as possible, so that it'll be totally retired and vanished in MLB in honor of Jackie Robinson

[Atomicflash500]

hey they rename the interboro parkway in new york Jackie R.but dont break down with your car .its now called Jack U Up and Rob U Son parkway.

[shin19691986]

With all due respect to Mr. Robinson, he wasn't the first. We should remember Moses Fleetwood Walker who came way before him.

[fishy245]

Im sry but im not realy sure who moses fleetwood is would u mind tlling me

[shin19691986]

He was a catcher back in the 1880s

[BobbyDobby]

He wasn't even born then...

[TadikDotCom]

one can argue that it was William Edward White to be the first as well, but at the end of the day it was Robinson to be the first due to the fact that around 1889-1890 "unofficially" National League & the American Association banned blacks from baseball.

[shin19691986]

You are right, but William White only played in one game for the Providence Grays I believe (correct me if I am wrong) and he is only 1/4 Black I believe.

[hometownhizzle]

MustafaHamsho, if you knew baseball you wouldnt be askin dumb questions like that. if it wasnt for this guy there would be no ozzie smiths or othere great ball players in baseball. youd have somebody like greg ostertagg or shaun bradley playing shortstop for the dodgers. Jackie Robinson set a new standard for the game and helped MLK and Rosa bring minority to the game! it wouldn't be the same! thats whats so fing great about him

[woodlarr]

As a man and a ballplayer, Jackie had no equal. What he did for this country and the equal rights movement never needs to be defended.

[MustafaHamsho]

What did he do for this country and the equal rights movement besides play baseball?

[LetsGoRedSox10]

He played the game while he was treated badly. He never gave up while the abuse went on. In my mind, he started the civil rights movement and he helped Rosa Parks and MLK.

[laurensadriaanse]

just read a little about him, this man was uncompromising who dedicated his whole life to justice and died very young. god bless him

[trae1er]

shut da fuk up yo

[RedsoxGirl61396]

He inspired Blacks and whites to take another look back at the social standings and to respect african americans even though they were colored. He was brave and stood up for himself. Without him, we would have none or less african american baseball players. you are very rude.

[MustafaHamsho]

What was so fing great about Jackie Robinson? I'm sure he was a nice guy & great ballplayer but he was no MLK or Rosa Parks.

[davidmjeong926]

probably you need to do some search on jackie robinson before you ask that stupid question. after that you'll understand why No.42 is retired by MLB in honor of him.

[trae1er]

if thats tru how come us african americans r playin base ball n da major leagues? now answer that

[espntrev24]

i salute and pay a tribute to him and what he's done. =)

[highlandsh]

Do you know of any video of JR beating out a rundown? I've read that he was impossible to get out when he changed direction very quickly.

[XblisterXexistX]

i hate basball but still 5 star

[clee9989]

this video is awesome!!! how can i save it to my computer to use in a powerpoint presentation??

[elcor17]

great video. what song is this? its pretty good.

[woodlarr]

The song is Superman acoustic version from five for fighting

[paulorodrigo]

I live in the south of Brazil, I watched the jackie robinson day on TV.

Cool Video!

[Granago64]

Thank you for puting this video togeather

[Lava1964]

Jackie Robinson was probably the most important athlete in American history from a social standpoint. (Proclaiming him to be the greatest ballplayer of all time is baseless and absurd, though.) The real shame is that black Americans largely choose not to play baseball anymore--the spport that was most important to them 60 years ago.

[wweTheUndertaker1991]

i was there at jackie robinson day

[djbaseball002]

I am sorry there was a comment that was taken off by FILTHYJEW2006 that was very repulsive that I was reacting to.

[wweTheUndertaker1991]

i barrly saw this vid today what was the comment that filthyjew2006 said

[woodlarr]

The comment is certainly not worth repeating and I didnt want this video to be a forum for that kind of ignorance!!

[djbaseball002]

FILTHY2006 You are an embarrassment to this country and you would do us all a favor and kill yourself

[djbaseball002]

You are a sad little man. He was the most influential athlete ever and if you are to much of a bigit to realize that then you need to look in the mirror and pull the tripper.

[npolanco79]

Muchas gracias Sr. Robinson por su sacrificio en esa epoca tan dificil para la minoria. Que dios te tenga en la gloria.

[notphilivey]

Poignant, powerful, inspiring. Great video. Lived up to the man.

[chewbacca0]

the greatest player ever

[HIIMJAKE22]

locn live jackie robinson, so great of an inspiritaion