APRIL 15

On this date in 1947, Jackie Robinson debuted as a player for the Brooklyn Dodgers.  He was the first black person to play for a Major League baseball team.  He broke the color barrier.  Prior to this,  there was the Big Leagues and there were black-only leagues people called the Negro Leagues - many excellent players took part in them.  There was no rule prohibiting blacks in the Big Leagues - it was just part of what the country was like at the time.

Robinson had to withstand abuse from fans in most towns - before, during and after games.  He was a special person and able to play well under these most uncomfortable circumstances.  He made the All-Star team in 1949 and won the league MVP award in 1950.  In the years that followed, other teams dared to sign black players and a huge movement was started.  Baseball played a significant part in the breakdown of racial barriers in our country - 72 years ago today.
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(Hope your taxes are done and in.)