Yesterday, Major League Baseball marked the 77th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the sport’s color barrier. His 101-year-old widow attended an event at Citi Field in New York. Jackie died in 1972 at the age of 53, 52 years ago. She has just about lived the total amount of time he was alive as his widow. I may not have phrased that correctly, but I think you understand what I’m trying to convey.
Jackie’s grandson, Burso Robinson, threw out the first pitch. That’s an interesting and unique name. I spent a good 20 minutes trying to find an answer, and I found a big bag of nothing. I guess it’s a nickname. This is what an AI search engine told me:
Jackie Robinson had three grandchildren through his son, Jackie Robinson Jr., and his daughter, Sharon Robinson. Their names are David Robinson, Jesse Robinson, and Adam Robinson. If you’re referring to another individual named Busro Robinson, I couldn’t find any information about such a person in relation to Jackie Robinson’s family.
Each year, several players across the league donate their April 15 gameday salaries to the Players Alliance, which works to promote Black participation at every level of organized baseball and a more diverse future for the sport. I think Ken Griffey Jr. was the first to start this tradition, but I’m too lazy to verify that information. But I know for sure he came up with the idea of all players wearing 42 each year, which is a pretty cool and strongly stated tradition.
Here’s an interesting connection I found: Jackie Robinson has a strong connection with musician Carly Simon.
In 1952, after the birth of their third child, the Robinsons needed a bigger home. The family was denied homes in NY that were “mysteriously” pulled off the market, and they had trouble viewing any new properties.
A reporter asked Rachel Robinson about racial housing practices in the tri-state area, and Carly’s father, Richard, read the article. Along with his wife, they decided to help the Robinsons find a plot of land. The Robinsons purchased a plot in Stamford, CT.
Carly’s brother, Peter, said, “Jackie spent so much time teaching us about baseball. We’d stand out in the backyard, and he’d hit us grounders with a tennis racquet and a tennis ball. He used to whale the ball and hit these towering high flies. We were so into it, especially Carly, who was a true-blue Dodger fan.”
In her memoirs, Carly recalled going to Dodgers home games at Ebbets Field, sitting on Pee Wee Reese’s lap in the dugout, and serving as the team’s informal mascot. The team had a special jacket made for her, with “Dodgers” printed on the back and “Carly” on the front.
Carly told NPR that Rachel was by her mother’s side when she was dying.
The inscription on Jackie Robinson’s grave has me doing some serious reflection.
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,”
