2) The News Report: I watched and listened with great interest on Feb. 28, 2011 as another very fitting tribute was paid to Jackie Robinson. While the sport of baseball is known as ‘America’s Game’, this ceremony took place on Canadian soil, in Montreal’s Villeray area, just a few blocks away from Jarry Park, where Canada's first major league team, the Montreal Expos, played from 1969 to 1976.
Dignitaries reported by the Montreal Gazette came from both sides of the border, including: the U.S. ambassador to Canada, David Jacobson; Lee McClenny, the U.S. consul general in Montreal; Quebec Minister of Education, Leisure and Sport, Line Beauchamp and Montreal Mayor, Gérald Tremblay. Along side them was Sharon Robinson, vice-chair of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, and daughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson.
It struck me that while Sharon Robinson must have been extremely and rightfully proud of her parents, perhaps a small measure of pride might also be taken by those citizens of Montreal who welcomed, befriended and embraced this family of ‘newcomers’ to Canada. As individuals, the residents of this community may feel that they had little impact on the outcome of this story. Yet it was their individual and collective acceptance, their willingness to provide ‘the newcomer’ with an opportunity to contribute, a chance of finding a place, to contribute to the betterment of their community ...this was the fertile soil that became the seed-bed of hope. It was through an openness and willingness to find harmony amidst that which was different, that a difference was made. And in having been a part of the process of positive change, these individuals, this community and perhaps even this country, may take a modest, but none-the-less deserved moment to reflect and relish the significance of their kindness.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled at the house where Jackie Robinson and his wife, Rachel, lived in 1946, when Robinson played for the Montreal Royals in the Class AAA International League.
The plaque reads (in English and French, Canada’s two official languages): Hall of Fame baseball legend and civil rights leader Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson and wife, Rachel, lived in this house when he played with the Montreal Royals in the Class AAA International League in 1946. The first black Major League Baseball player in the modern era, Robinson became a powerful symbol of hope an inspiration to millions with his grace, dignity and determination.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Baseball+great+home+away+from+hate/4362662/story.html
3) Hope Story: (I was reminded of this story as I watched the news report noted above.)
Rey Carr of Peer Resources drew my attention to some of the personal stories of people who have been positively influenced and inspired others through mentorship. This particular story is taken from: http://www.mentors.ca/Story13.pdf
When Jackie Robinson was signed by Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers, he became the first African- American to play major league baseball. “Number 42” became the target of considerable racist hatred and death threats. Branch Rickey had warned him that things would be tough and that he should learn to turn the other cheek. Prior to one game, however, Jackie received a telephone call that brought him to his tipping point. He was so devastated he couldn’t concentrate of the game and struck out with the bases loaded. In another inning he made a fielding error. The crowd escalated their obscenities.
Then Pee Wee Reese, the white, shortstop from Kentucky and Jackie’s teammate called a time-out. Pee Wee put his arm around Robinson and said, “Jackie, let me tell you something. I believe in you. You are the greatest ballplayer I have ever seen. You can do it. I know that. And I know something else: One of these days you are going into the Hall of Fame. So, hold your head up high and play ball like only you can do it.” Robinson was uplifted by those words and went on to deliver the game-winning hit for his team.
Many years later when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Robinson recalled that day on the field with Pee Wee. “He saved my life and my career that day. I had lost my confidence, and Pee Wee picked me up with his words of encouragement. He gave me hope when all hope was gone.”
4) From the CBC Digital Archives: To better understand the significance of the groundbreaking achievements of Jackie Robinson, please view this great report from CBC/Radio-Canada.
“Jackie Robinson, the first black pro in baseball” Broadcast Date: May 8, 1987
http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/clips/3322/
