31 January 1919, Cairo, Georgia (Birth)24 October 1972, Sanford, CT (Death)Age 53 (A Life Cut Short by Institutional Racism!)“I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me… All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” Jackie Robinson

On 15 April 1947, Jackie Roosevelt Robinson broke the color line when he made his historic Major League Baseball (MLB) debut. Every year on 15 April, the League honors Jackie’s legacy by celebrating his life, values and accomplishments. The extensive and unified League-wide show of support has included retiring Jackie’s number throughout the Majors in 1997; dedicating 15 April as Jackie Robinson Day each year since 2004; and requesting that every player and all on-field personnel wear his No. 42 during games scheduled on Jackie Robinson Day since 2009. Obviously because of COVID-19 pandemic, on field tributes and celebrations are not possible this year.

However in parallel with Jackie Robinson Foundation educational initiative, MLB has several activities aimed at keeping at-home children busy while educating them on Jackie’s life. I’ve posted this message specifically for Brookline educators and other school personal to remind them that they can connect with crossword puzzles, coloring book pages, “Connect the Dot” exercises, as well as fun facts about Jackie Jackie Robinson’s life.  

No Jackie Robinson? Then there’s no Bill Fenton Russell; No K.C. or Sam Jones; No Pedro Martinez; no David Ortiz, and so on indefinitely. And quite frankly, and there’s no Bob Cousy, or Tommy Heinsohn, or Arnold “Red” Auerbach.

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