Expanding Jackie Robinson Day

Office of the Commissioner of Baseball

Allen H (Bud) Selig, Commissioner

245 Park Place

New York, NY 10167 

Dear Sir,

Major League Baseball should be commended for recognizing the anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s debut, breaking the color barrier. I have long revered Robinson for his courage and hard fight becoming the first Negro in the big leagues. I also marvel at his all-around ability, excelling in football, basketball, and track & field.

Now that Jackie Robinson Day has gone on for several years, perhaps it is time to expand the celebration. Once Robinson integrated the Dodgers, then every other team faced the same struggle. Some teams, like the Cleveland Indians, handled the situation better than others (Boston and Philadelphia, to name two). From Larry Doby to Ernie Banks to Pumpsie Green, each player who was the first to integrate each team and city faced many of the same hardships as Jackie. Perhaps it’s time to honor them as well.

SUGGESTION: Have each team honor a player instrumental in integrating that team or city. For the newer teams that never faced this predicament, they can honor Robinson or a Negro League great that was associated with their city or state. For instance, the Kansas City Royals could wear Buck O’Neil’s number. Since new jerseys are already being made up for Jackie Robinson Day, it would not be much more expensive to outfit each team in the period jersey and cap of the player to be honored. Later this game-worn equipment could be auctioned off to help develop minority baseball players. Here’s a list of possibilities:  

Braves: Hank Aaron’s 44 (or Boston Brave Sam Jethroe)

Marlins: A Cuban great, like Zoilo Versalles, Cookie Rojas, Tony Perez, Tony Oliva, Preston Gomez, or Bert Campaneris

Mets: Willie Mays’ 24

Nationals: Jackie Robinson’s Montreal Royals number

Phillies: John Kennedy

Brewers: Hank Aaron’s 44

Cardinals: Tom Alston

Cubs: Ernie Banks’ 14

Pirates: Roberto Clemente’s 21, or Curt Roberts.

Reds: Chuck Harmon

Diamondbacks: Jackie Robinson

Dodgers: Jackie Robinson’s 42

Giants: Monte Irvin’s 20

Padres: Jackie Robinson, Nate Colbert, or Cito Gaston

Rockies: Jackie Robinson

Blue Jays: Cito Gaston?

Orioles: St Louis Brown Hank Thompson

Rays: Jackie Robinson

Red Sox: Pumpsie Green

Yankees: Elston Howard

Indians: Larry Doby

Royals: Buck O’Neil

Tigers: Ossie Virgil, Larry Doby, or Willie Horton

Twins: Tony Oliva, or Washington Senator Carlos Paula

White Sox: Minnie Minoso

Angels: Leon Wagner?

Astros: Joe Morgan or Jimmy Wynn?

Athletics: Bob Trice

Mariners: Jackie Robinson

Rangers: Washington Senator Carlos Paula

Thanks for your time. And as a Braves fan, please suggest that those great outfielders wear striped socks and strirrups!

Sincerely,

David