April 15th, is Jackie Robinson day in Major
League Baseball. A day that commemorates Jackie Robinson breaking the color
barrier in 1947. Each player, coach, and manager on every team and umpires wear
the number 42 during this day. This year is extra special because it also commemorates
Jackie’s 100th birthday and the upcoming opening of the Jackie
Robinson museum in New York City. Jackie Robinson was a pioneer in baseball and
a man of great character, watch two movies based on his life 1996 Soul of the
game starring Blair Underwood as Jackie, and the 2013 film starring Chadwick
Boseman as Jackie.
MLB is desperately trying to reverse the declining trend of Black
players in the league and one way they could reverse this trend and honoring
past players. While Jackie Robinson is the only player to have a whole day in
his honor in the league, here are 5 players that MLB should name days after for
being exceptional human beings and for what they offered to the sport.
5. Larry Doby
Larry Doby was the second African-American player to play in
the major leagues and the first to play in the American league for the
Cleveland Indians just three months after Jackie broke the barrier. He was the
first negro league player to jump straight from the negro leagues to the major
leagues. He was a seven-time all-star and the first African-American along with
Saitchel Paige to win the world series in 1948. He also became one of the first
American players to play professional baseball in Japan along with Don
Newcombe. He was a home run champion and American league RBI champion, he
managed the Chicago White Sox in 1978 becoming the second black manager and worked
in the American League executive office. His front office skills transcended
baseball as he held position(s) with the New Jersey Nets of the NBA as director
of communications and community affairs. A former navy vet who served in World
War II, his number was retired by the Indians and he was inducted in their hall
of fame in 1994. In 1998 he was inducted into the baseball hall of fame, in
2012 he was one of four former baseball players pictured on U.S. postage
stamps. Larry Doby passed away on June 18th, 2003
4. Hank Aaron
“Hammer” Hank Aaron was inducted into the baseball hall of
fame in 1982. His accolades include breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974
holding the record for 33 years at 755 (being beaten by Barry Bonds). A 25-time
all-star, 3 x gold glove winner, National League MVP in 1957. Holds the all-time
records for total bases, extra base hits, and runs batted in. He is currently a
executive within the Atlanta Braves organization, one of the few
African-Americans holding that title in MLB. In 2001 he was awarded the Presidential
Citizens Medal and in 2002 he received the Presidential medal of freedom. His
number (44) was retired by both the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers and he
is in the Braves Hall of Fame and Miller Park Wall of Fame. He was elected to
the All-Century team in 1999.
3. Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson a 14-time all-star, triple crown winner, MVP
of the American and National league respectively. World Series MVP with the
Baltimore Orioles in 1966. He also broke barriers becoming the first Black manager
in MLB in 1975, managing the Cleveland Indians while still playing becoming a
player/manager. He ended up managing the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore
Orioles, as well as being the first manager of the Washington Nationals. He
also was inducted in the baseball hall of fame in 1982. As well as being
inducted in the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians hall
of fames having his number (20) retired by each team. He also was inducted into
the Nationals ring of honor and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in
2005 and the first Jackie Robinson Society Community Recognition Award in 2007.
He served in the front office of baseball organizations as well as the front
office of MLB and was a member of the NAACP, working to improve baseball
relations in inner cities. Frank Robinson passed away on February 7th
of this year.
2. Willie Mays
The “Say Hey Kid” famously known for the “catch” in the 1954
world series, catching the ball over the shoulder while running it’s one of the
most iconic baseball plays ever. 1951 National league rookie of the year, 24x
all-star, 12x gold glove winner, 2x National league MVP, fifth all time on the
home run list with 660 homers. World champion in 1954, Eieht consecutive 100-RBI
seasons, 4x National league home run leader and stolen base leader Willie Mays
could do it all. While playing for the New York Giants he was a staple in the
community often seen playing stick ball with neighborhood kids. He was voted to
the hall of fame in 1979, his number (24) was retired by the San Francisco
Giants and has held the title of special assistant to the president since 1986.
San Francisco holds “Willie Mays Day” every May 24th to commemorate the
anniversary of his major league debut and his number. He has received honorary doctorates
from Yale University, San Francisco State University and Dartmouth College. The
major league beacon of life award and the presidential medal of freedom in
2015. He was voted to the MLB All-Time team in 1997 and All-Century team in
1999.
1.Ken Griffey Jr.
The “Kid” back in the mid-90’s when I was a kid, Griffey was
the guy all the black kids admired. Wearing his cap backwards while going
through batting practice, releasing a line of sneakers with Nike which I
believe was a first for MLB players. Possessing one of the sweetest, fluid
swings in baseball he is one of the best center fielders ever, constantly
robbing hitters with his acrobatic video game like moves. A 10x gold glove
winner, 13x all-star, 7x Silver Slugger award winner, 4x American league home
run leader, American league MVP and RBI leader in 1997, the National league
Comeback player of the year in 2005. He was elected to the MLB All-Century team
in 1999, he was elected into the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds
respective hall of fames, as well as having his number (24) retired by the
Mariners. He was elected into the baseball hall of fame in 2016. Griffey was the
“man” in the 90’s when it came to baseball.
