I couldn’t let the day pass without acknowledging the greatness of Jackie Robinson and the tremendous, wonderful and lasting effect he has had on the game of baseball. I can’t even pretend to understand what it must have been like for him to break through that barrier against such overwhelming odds, but I can say how grateful I am to him for persevering and having the courage to do it with such class and respect. I count Ken Griffey Jr., Dwight Gooden, Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes among my favorite all time players in baseball. Thank you Jackie, for making it all possible.
They say that the true measure of a man is not what he says about himself, but what others say about him. I searched and found some wonderful quotes, that really portray Jackie Robinson much better than I ever can.
“It didn’t take a great baseball player to tear down that barrier of segregation, it took a great man.” – New York Governor Pataki
“The moment he stepped onto the field it reached out to everyone. As a child growing up in Oklahoma I knew then that I could realize my dream if I worked hard and had the skills.” - Frank Robinson
“I don’t care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a fucking zebra. I’m the manager of this team and I say he plays.” – Leo Durocher
“Thinking about the things that happened, I don’t know any other ball player that could have done what Jackie Robinson did. To be able to hit with everybody yelling at him. He had to block all that out, block out everything but this ball that is coming in at a hundred miles an hour and he’s got a split second to make up his mind if it’s in or out or down or coming at his head, a split second to swing. To do what he did has got to be the most tremendous thing I’ve ever seen in sports.” – Pee Wee Reese
“There is no person more central or more important to the history of baseball for his pioneering ways. His impact on our game is not fully defined without the mention of his extreme courage.” – Hall of Fame President, Jeff Idelson
“He led America by example. He reminded our people of what was right and he reminded them of what was wrong. I think it can be safely said today that Jackie Robinson made the United States a better nation.” – American League President Gene Budig
“He knew he had to do well. He knew that the future of blacks in baseball depended on it. The pressure was enormous, overwhelming, and unbearable at times. I don’t know how he held up. I know I never could have.” – Duke Snider
“He struck a mighty blow for equality, freedom and the American way of life. Jackie Robinson was a good citizen, a great man, and a true American champion.” – President Ronald Reagan
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