Debut Post by Blogger Roman Rickwood
African-American athletes have been some of the most influential leaders in their communities. Roman wanted to highlight the importance of two outstanding baseball players, Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson.
Hank Aaron
Hank Aaron was one of the greatest baseball players the game has ever seen. He has the record for most home runs with an astounding 755! Not only was Hank Aaron one of the world’s best baseball players, but he did it under extreme conditions. Hank Aaron faced extreme racism and discrimination as he was one of the few African-American players in Major League baseball. He played major-league ball from 1954 to 1976 (MLB.com). From the crowds, he experienced heckling and thrown objects. From fellow players, he was targeted for dirty plays. Calls from the umpires often did not go his way. He overcame, triumphed, and passed Babe Ruth’s home-run record AND The Babe’s RBI record–which still stands today at 2,297 runs batted in (MLB.com). Hank Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1934. He played in the MLB for the Braves of Milwaukee (before Milwaukee was the Brewers) and ended his career in Atlanta with the Braves. He then retired as a Brave and settled just outside of Atlanta. He quickly became not only a baseball legend but a local legend. In 2010, he was named Georgia trustee by the Georgia historical society. He served front office roles with the Braves and had many awards named after him. Hank Aaron died this past January 22, 2021, at his home in Atlanta.
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was a baseball legend who holds many titles and is revered in the baseball community. Jackie Robinson was the first African American ever to play in the major leagues. Like Hank Aaron, he destroyed records as well as racial barriers. Robinson was born January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson was a born and bred multi-sport-athlete who excelled in everything he did: baseball, football, track, and academics. Jackie Robinson attended University of California, Los Angeles, aka, UCLA. Jackie played and excelled at UCLA. He ran track and played baseball for the Bruins. After graduating from UCLA, Jackie Robinson went on to make history and start at 1st base for the then Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson endured racism, prejudice, and threats of violence. He prevailed and went on to break records, most notably the record for most stolen bases in the history of the MLB. Jackie Robinson stole 197 bases over ten seasons (baseballhalloffame.org). On April 15, 1997, his number, 42, was retired by every team in the MLB. When a number is retired, it is always out of respect. It is a symbol of a great career. However, very rarely is a jersey retired by every single team.
As Black History month wraps up, it is important to remember Aaron’s and Robinson’s groundbreaking accomplishments and their destruction of racial barriers in both baseball and everyday life.
https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/hank-aaron-career-timeline\
Black History Month Editor: Evan Spry
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