April 15, 1947 is a significant day in Major League Baseball history.
That was the day Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and became the first black player in Major League Baseball when he made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Robinson played 10 years for the Dodgers and helped them win a World Series title in 1955. He was a six-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year in 1947 and National League batting champion in 1949.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962 and his impact resonated so profoundly that in 1997, Major League Baseball retired his No. 42 jersey. Every year on April 15, all players wear No. 42.
Saturday was another significant day for Robinson's family.
The Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a Jackie Robinson statue that shows his stealing home, which was appropriate since one of his career's most memorable plays came in Game 1 of the 1955 World Series when he stole home in the eighth inning, a move disputed by New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra, who thought he tagged Robinson out.
Robinson's statue ceremony was attended by retired Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, baseball icon Frank Robinson [no relation], Robinson's widow Rachel, 94, and the couple's two children Sharon and David and Dodger greats such as Sandy Koufax Steve Garvey, Tommy Lasorda, Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser.
The celebration didn't end there.
At Santa Anita Park, a horse by the name of Pee Wee Reese won the second race of the day, winning the 1-mile turf race by 1¼ lengths. It was the colt's fourth consecutive victory for trainer Phil D'Amato and owner-breeder Nick Alexander. The colt was named after Reese, a 10-time All-Star shortstop who played for the Dodgers.
The fact that Reese won the race on Jackie Robinson Day was significant because Reese was a staunch supporter of Robinson, especially early in his career when Robinson was dealing taunts from fans and opposing teams.
It seemed appropriate that Reese delivered on a day Robinson was honored.
On deaf ears
The St. Louis Cardinals said one of their off-season missions after missing the playoffs by one game a year ago was to improve their defense.
They added former Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler and moved Randall Grichuk from center field to left field and decided to make Matt Carpenter their full-time first baseman.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Jose de Jesus Ortiz is questioning the Cardinals commitment by starting former first baseman Matt Adams in left field five times this season.
"[Mike] Matheny seemed committed to improved defense all spring. Yet, he completely undermined that commitment to defense by starting Adams instead of Grichuk in left field Wednesday against the Nationals' Max Scherzer.
"Chicks may dig the long ball, but pitching puts a ring on it. Ignoring the fact that Adams is hitting .167, there is no justification for using him in left field ahead of Grichuk or Jose Martinez except in an emergency."
"If Matheny's committed to improved defense, though he would be better off starting the 58-year-old [Willie] McGee in left. Teams committed to more athleticism and better defense would explore ... options before going with Adams. Matheny makes out the lineup. Only he can deliver on the promise the Cardinals made. Only he knows but the first two weeks don't support his offseason promises."
Sports on 04/17/2017