I gave this prayer at the start of today’s General Assembly Session.
Seventy years ago, the Opening Day second baseman for the AAA Montreal Royals, was making his minor league debut. Jackie Robinson made history that Opening Day.
He hit a three-run homer in the third inning. His next at bat, he reached on a bunt single, stole second, and advanced to third on a ground out. Dancing off third base, he scored when the pitcher balked. No disputed tag by Yogi Berra this time. But the way baseball was played had changed.
Twenty years later, the Opening Day right fielder for the Baltimore Orioles was making his American League debut. In his first plate appearance, Frank Robinson was hit by a pitch. Two at bats later, he hit one over the Green Monster as the Orioles beat the Red Sox, 5-4, in 13 innings.
“We knew how to play,” says Brooks Robinson, “but starting with spring training, Frank taught us how to win.” The Oriole way of playing baseball had changed. All the way to the World Series that October.
Frank left Florida early that spring. He needed to find a home in Baltimore. No one would rent to his family in all-white neighborhoods.
The previous winter, Cardinal Sheehan was booed when he spoke in support of a fair housing ordinance at the War Memorial Building in Baltimore. Our predecessors did not pass a state law until 1967, but it was full of exceptions.
When Jerry Hoffberger, the Orioles owner, learned that his star player had no place to live, he helped the Robinsons rent a home on Cedardale Road in Ashburton – what is now the 41st District.
Before he went to the team party after Game 4 of the World Series, Frank and his wife celebrated with their neighbors.
On this Opening Day, let’s recall two – Jackie and Frank Robinson.
