Jackie Robinson will be honored at every major league ballpark today.

On Monday, the Opening Day of the Orioles home season and the last day of the legislative session, I offered this prayer.

 

75 years ago, on Opening Day in Brooklyn, the Dodgers started a rookie at first base, Jackie Robinson, and broke baseball’s color barrier.

No one will wear Robinson’s Number 42 today or this season.  It has been permanently retired.

Prior to Opening Day in 1966, the Orioles new right fielder and team leader, Frank Robinson, left spring training early.

In Baltimore, no one would rent a decent home to Frank’s wife.  Oriole owner Jerry Hoffberger came to Frank’s assistance and helped him find a home in Ashburton – in the 41st Legislative District.

The next year, this General Assembly enacted Chapter 385, which made it unlawful for a person owning 5 or more dwellings to refuse to rent or sell to persons based on their race, color, religious creed, or national origin.

Honored before the start of Game 2 of the 1972 World Series, Jackie Robinson said, “I am extremely proud and pleased to be here this afternoon but must admit, I am going to be tremendously more pleased and more proud when I look at the third-base coaching line one day and see a black face managing in baseball.”

Nine days later, Jackie died.

Two seasons later, Frank Robinson broke another color barrier.  He was the player-manager of the Cleveland Indians.  In his first at bat, he hit a home run.

Watching the game in my Manhattan apartment, instead of studying in the law school library, I cheered – for two reasons.

Frank had made history, and the score was Cleveland 1, the Yankees 0.

It’s Opening Day.  Play Ball.

Amen.