On this day April 15, 1947, 77 years ago, the true beginning of the civil rights movement began. It was on this day that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League baseball. This daring, way overdue move by Branch Rickey the GM of the Brooklyn Dodgers would begin to change not only baseball and sports, but the world in many ways. It was a move Rickey had been championing since the early 1930’s but to no avail.

I was very fortunate, as an 11 year old, to be with my grandfather sitting with him in his box next to the Dodger dugout at Ebbetts Field on that day and remember it like it took place yesterday. It was a cloudy overcast day, temps in the 50’s and playing the Boston Braves. Fans, black and white together, were chanting Jackie’s name during infield practice before the game started and they kept at as the Dodgers took the field. While he went hitless, but scored a run, he was greeted with big cheers from the fans at every at bat. The Dodgers would win 5-3 and the loud cheers would continue. His teammates seemed to be perfectly fine with him being on the team and making history. Of course, as we would learn there were some players who resented him, teams who didn’t want him to play, death threats and other incidents that made his debut season a troubling and dangerous one. But Jackie would silence all that with his play on the field and would go one to become of the best in the game. His list of accomplishments is huge, ROY in 1947, NL batting champion and MVP in 1949, 6 time All Star, led the NL in stolen bases in 1947 and 1949. He retired in 1956 as the effects of diabetes were affecting his play. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962. But the ultimate honor came in 1997 when MLB permanently retired the #42 and on this day since, every major league team honors Robinson by all wearing #42.

I had the honor and pleasure of meeting him after several games in the next couple of years with my grandfather and then would meet him again some 20 years later at an event in New York. He was friendly, cordial and actually remembered me because of my grandfather. By then he had become the head of Chock Full o’ Nuts coffee, was very active in politics and civil rights, but you could also see he was not in the best of health. On October 24, 1972, Jackie passed away from complications with his battle of diabetes. He was just 53 years old.

In closing all I would like to add for you to see the film ”42” if you haven’t. It is on Amazon Prime and Apple TV today. This film about Jackie and breaking the color barrier had three things going for it that made it a huge hit. Number one was the acting by the late Chadwick Boseman as Jackie, spot on in every way. Second, Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey was uncanny in an ignored Oscar worthy role. Third, Jackie’s widow Rachel had final say on the script so that 98% of that film was totally accurate in every way. The baseball sequences and super imposed shots of Ebbetts Field and the old parks were incredible adding even more believability to the entire timeline. Baseball fan, or not this is a “must see” film.

R.I.P. sir, you will never ever be forgotten.

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN