78 years since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, we celebrate him and his legacy as today is the most attention this day has had since 2009. With all the eyes on this today, let us remember our history and why we still care.
Back when Jim Crows and Hays codes were all over America, yes, even here in California, uniting Baseball under one umbrella was a goal thought impossible. And in many ways, the naysayers had a point. You needed not only a player who could be as good as the white players of the time, but one who could handle the abuse without retaliation. And considering the amount of abuse he experienced, Jackie Robinson handled it tremendously.
The Ucla 4 sport athlete spent time in the Negro Leauges and was chosen by the Dodgers to be the one, and despite opposition from many in Baseball, broke the color barrier, allowing all men to be able to play this game we all love on the same field, even if some teams took longer to allow that than others. Lou Johnson was the Angels first on April 11th 1961 in their first season as a franchise.
Without Jackie Robinson we get to Willie Mays. No Hank Aaron. The explosion of Dominican players wouldn’t happen. Nor would the acceptance of Asians. No Ichiro. No Ohtani. No Roberto Clemente. No Vladimir Guerrero.
Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s Widow, is still alive. This is still in living memory for many Americans. There is a reason why, when discussing baseball records and players we use the term “post integration”. Can you imagine MLB today without all these great players?
And as a time when Torri Hunter has discussed disappointment in the lack of African American players in MLB right now as the NBA and NFL have increasingly been the sports that have allured them the most, the Angels have 3 in their lineup today.
Paris, Adell, and Anderson hit back to back to back today in the lineup as the Angels themselves show how international they are. Kikuchi took the mound and pitched 6 innings giving up 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 6 and walking 2. He left losing though as the Angels couldn’t score when he was in the game.
Highlighted Lowlighted Recap
Mike Trout stole a base in the 4th!
In the 5th, the Angels got a strike him out throw him out double play on a technicality. The technicality being that the batter got in the way. Smart thinking by the catcher.
It was a real pitchers’ duel. No one scoring and barely any baserunners as well. Quite odd in a game in Texas where the balls usually fly. Which is why when the Rangers scored on the 6th it stung.
Good thing the Rangers are not smart as Eager literally ran himself into an out. Huh? Yeah I’m confused too.
Kikuchi was done after 6 even though he only threw 79 pitches. Detmers came in and gave up a run. Bruh.
Angels continued to not score, even getting into their own strike them out throw them out double play on the 8th. Instead, the Rangers scored again. This time off of Anderson. Both Ian and Tim.
And Rengifo gave up another run with a wild throw to first. Ugh.
The Angels lose. Shutout for the first time this season.
Upcoming
2 more games against the Rangers and then Star Wars Weekend this weekend at the BIG A!
