42 Brings Jackie Robinson To Life

(warning--some spoilers)

This movie is about much more that baseball and even much more that Jackie Robinson.  42 gets it's name from the number that Jackie Robinson wore when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 
Up to 1947, Baseball player were all Caucasian.  The players thought that it was because they were superior, but really it was because of deep prejudices of owners, players and America in general.  Although at the time, there were no teams in the Deep South, Spring training was held there and many of the players were from that region.  Branch Rickey is the owner of the Dodgers and it is his belief that it is time to sign a black baseball player.He scout out Jackie Robinson, a star in the "Negro Leagues"  His manager, Leo Dourocher loves the idea and agrees with Rickey to make it happen.  Trouble is, Dourocher is suspended for the year and the Dodgers have to find a new manager.  They wind up with a retiree who has nowhere near the fire of Duroucher.  The movie is simplified to a battle between the good guys vs the bad guys.  The vitriol aimed at Robinson is quite disturbing, but because of that, you root a lot harder for him. 
My guess is that this movie and many of the actors will get Oscar consideration.

A Salute To Larry Doby

6o years ago, Larry Doby became the first black man to play in the American League and the second black man to play in Major League Baseball. He is much lesser known than Jackie Robinson, but no doubt carried many of the same burdens.

We Salute Jackie Robinson

Many baseball players wore number 42 today to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking into Major League baseball. Robinson became the first African American to play in the bigs. His struggles are well documented. Robinson's persistence paved the way for some of my old favorite players like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Lou Brock. It was the charisma and talent of these players that drew my interest in the sport.