Every April 15th, Major League Baseball honors the only man whose number is retired by all 30 teams: Jackie Robinson. On this date back in 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the "color barrier" and became the first black man to play in the Major Leagues in the modern era. But even more so than that, Jackie Robinson gave Courage a face and a name we could all relate to (and remember).
The Georgia native overcame obstacles that in today's day and age are hard to believe. (Did you know the St. Louis Cardinals threatened to strike if Jackie was allowed to play?) Along with death threats, rough play by his opponents (he once received a seven-inch gash in his leg while turning two), and a constant barrage of insults from the stands (and the other dugouts) calling him every name in the book, Jackie personified professionalism while playing the game at the highest level.
Thank God for us all, Jackie chose to beat 'em "on the field" rather than "in the stands". We all need Heroes to look up to and to admire in life. Jackie Robinson and the courage he exemplified was (and is) heroic in turn, and no doubt helped us as a nation to overcome prejudice, to create more opportunity, and in the end, become better people.
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