Something happened in between my blog published yesterday regarding MLB’s factions unable to reach an agreement so far to start the 2020 season, and today. That is I participated in a march in support of Black Lives Matter and was blown away by my community’s turnout. It brought tears to my eyes.
Those of us on the right side of history have a lot more work we need to do — this will require insistence that laws change with massive criminal justice reform. We’re at the very beginning.
But even though this blog is related, it’s still about baseball, only with an added epiphany. Yesterday evening’s experience on the heels of my sports’ musings convinced me further that the MLB is missing out on a huge opportunity to encourage unity. Sports creates new allies if only for a few hours — you cheer on your team with people at the stadium from all walks of life.
While baseball was experiencing its long run as “America’s pastime,” the sport threaded its mark throughout our cultural history. Babe Ruth; Lou Gehrig; Joe DiMaggio; Willie Mays — these are still household names, not a small feat in our amnesiac American ways.
The standout however, is Jackie Robinson signing to the Dodgers to break the game’s segregated existence. It was a momentous event that transcends baseball itself. On April 15th every year, all players wear number 42 to commemorate this milestone.
There are many that argue that the post WWII civil rights movement started when Robinson began with the Dodgers in 1947. White America could no longer deny African American’s humanity as they cheered on one of baseball greats. And his gravitas he carried through his entire life.
So, what a way for all sides in Major League Baseball to overcome these souring negotiations; and get back to play on July 4th as they originally intended. Look to Robinson’s legacy of being bigger than the game; and make history with a message of unity. Sign a deal; and run onto the field under a banner of tribute to Jackie Robinson on Independence Day.
What a way to say: let’s keep baseball and apple pie, but ditch systemic racism, America. We are all people deserving of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. And when we can finally sit in the ballparks again, we will be changed forever, and all the better for it.
Perhaps a pipe dream, but a girl can still hope.
"There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free."
- Jackie Robinson
“Baseball brings people together”
- Unknown