Thank you Jackie Robinson

[BumRushDaShow]

13. It took almost 70 years for Philadelphia to "officially" apologize

on behalf of the city and the bullshit "I am not a racist" racist Phillies manager Ben Chap-ass.

Philadelphia Phillies hammer Jackie Robinson like no other

Chanel Hill Tribune Staff Writer Feb 12, 2022



Jackie Robinson made history on April 15, 1947, when he became the first African American player to compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. Not only did he break baseball’s color barrier, but Robinson’s electrifying style of play made him baseball’s top drawing card and a symbol of hope to millions of Americans well beyond the baseball diamond.

Despite his talent and success as a player, Robinson faced discrimination throughout his career. He endured racial slurs, fans and managers taunted him, pitchers threw at his head, and runners tried to spike him. His family received threats. Many players on opposing teams threatened not to play against the Dodgers. His own teammates threatened to sit out games. Jim Crow laws also prevented Robinson from using the same hotels and restaurants as his teammates while playing in the South.

(snip)

In April 2016, Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed a resolution not only honoring the lifetime achievements and lasting influence of Robinson, but also apologizing for the emotional assault he faced as a player while visiting Philadelphia. Councilmember Helen Gym presented the resolution that was sent to Robinson’s widow, Rachel.

“He faced tremendous racism in our city,” Gym said. “It was something he never forgot, but neither should we. The resolution wasn’t just honoring Jackie Robinson, but it was an official apology on behalf of the city for the racism that he endured as a player while he was here.” The honorarium not only recognizes his baseball excellence, but the heroism required to be excellent under the horrendous circumstances he had to overcome as a person, she said.

(snip)

https://www.phillytrib.com/special_sections/black_history/philadelphia-phillies-hammer-jackie-robinson-like-no-other/article_f4f1e77d-e7ec-5df9-bded-bad5c84f2c6e.html

There's a mural of him here too -


People pass by a Philadelphia Mural Arts Program mural of Jackie Robinson in Philadelphia on Friday. On Jackie Robinson Day, Philadelphia is acknowledged its racist treatment of the baseball pioneer when he played in the city nearly 70 years ago. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press)

My mother like many in her generation was a baseball fan - and at that time, a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers with Robinson and of the Philadelphia Athletics, all the way through her young adulthood when the As left for the west coast.

She and her friends & family would go to what was then "Shibe Park" (later Connie Mack Stadium) for the As (and some Negro League games were played there too before they pretty much disbanded).



None of them had anything to do with the Phillies and I always remembered her talking disgustingly about "the racist Phillies", although she did watch them on TV whenever they were in the World Series (including 1980 & 2008).

When the movie "42" came out on DVD, I bought it and I happily watched it with her (R.I.P. to Chadwick Boseman who played Robinson in the film).

Thank you for the thread malaise!