As a boy, Bud Selig went to Chicago's Wrigley Field to watch a rookie named Jackie Robinson. More than a half-century later, the memory still sticks with the commissioner.
"We were the only white people in the upper deck," Selig said. "I never saw so much excitement."
At ballparks all across the majors Thursday, fans and players got to see and hear about the Hall of Famer's legacy. Baseball paused for Jackie Robinson Day, with video tributes, speeches and commemorative No. 42 signs honoring the man who broke the sport's color barrier.
"Jackie Robinson coming into baseball -- there's no question in my mind that April 15, 1947, was the most powerful moment in baseball history," Selig said at Shea Stadium.
Robinson's widow, Rachel, joined Selig and Mets center fielder Mike Cameron on the field before the game against Atlanta.
"After the first few games, when black fans started to come to the games and rooted so hard and came up to him, he began to get the feeling of what his playing meant to people," she said.
Starting this year, every April 15 will be celebrated as Jackie Robinson Day in the majors.
Rivals renew hostilities
The Red Sox and Yankees resume their rivalry today, sure to remember the nastiness and drama of last year's American League Championship Series and the sniping over Alex Rodriguez in the offseason.
"It's the greatest rivalry in sports," Boston's Kevin Millar said. "With the whole A-Rod thing, it's going to be unbelievable."
The Red Sox and Yankees insist their focus will be on trying to win, not the bad blood between them. Still, the fans at Fenway will make it clear this is no ordinary four-game series.
"I'm not expecting too many cheers," said Rodriguez, who donned pinstripes rather than red socks when the Yankees obtained him from Texas after Boston failed to get him.
The series begins exactly six months after their last dramatic meeting -- a Yankees victory in Game 7 of the ALCS.
Etc.
Rockies OF Preston Wilson, who led the National League with 141 runs batted in last season, will be out indefinitely because of torn cartilage in his left knee. He'll have surgery next week. . . . Expos RF Carl Everett was put on the disabled list with a bruise and tear in his right shoulder and will be out three to four weeks. . . . Indians backup catcher Josh Bard will be out 21/2 months after having lower abdomen surgery. . . . John Ricco was hired by the Mets as assistant general manager. Ricco, 36, has worked in the commissioner's office the past 12 years.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/1/138550-1591-036.html
"We were the only white people in the upper deck," Selig said. "I never saw so much excitement."
At ballparks all across the majors Thursday, fans and players got to see and hear about the Hall of Famer's legacy. Baseball paused for Jackie Robinson Day, with video tributes, speeches and commemorative No. 42 signs honoring the man who broke the sport's color barrier.
"Jackie Robinson coming into baseball -- there's no question in my mind that April 15, 1947, was the most powerful moment in baseball history," Selig said at Shea Stadium.
Robinson's widow, Rachel, joined Selig and Mets center fielder Mike Cameron on the field before the game against Atlanta.
"After the first few games, when black fans started to come to the games and rooted so hard and came up to him, he began to get the feeling of what his playing meant to people," she said.
Starting this year, every April 15 will be celebrated as Jackie Robinson Day in the majors.
Rivals renew hostilities
The Red Sox and Yankees resume their rivalry today, sure to remember the nastiness and drama of last year's American League Championship Series and the sniping over Alex Rodriguez in the offseason.
"It's the greatest rivalry in sports," Boston's Kevin Millar said. "With the whole A-Rod thing, it's going to be unbelievable."
The Red Sox and Yankees insist their focus will be on trying to win, not the bad blood between them. Still, the fans at Fenway will make it clear this is no ordinary four-game series.
"I'm not expecting too many cheers," said Rodriguez, who donned pinstripes rather than red socks when the Yankees obtained him from Texas after Boston failed to get him.
The series begins exactly six months after their last dramatic meeting -- a Yankees victory in Game 7 of the ALCS.
Etc.
Rockies OF Preston Wilson, who led the National League with 141 runs batted in last season, will be out indefinitely because of torn cartilage in his left knee. He'll have surgery next week. . . . Expos RF Carl Everett was put on the disabled list with a bruise and tear in his right shoulder and will be out three to four weeks. . . . Indians backup catcher Josh Bard will be out 21/2 months after having lower abdomen surgery. . . . John Ricco was hired by the Mets as assistant general manager. Ricco, 36, has worked in the commissioner's office the past 12 years.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/1/138550-1591-036.html
