Shellys commentary: Jackie Robinson and baseball's special place in American history

On April 15th, baseball fans celebrated “Jackie Robinson Day.” They watched as every team in Major League Baseball took to the field wearing the number 42 honoring and celebrating the occasion, when in 1947 Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier by becoming the first Black player to take the field for a major league team. On that particular day, baseball fans are reminded of his baseball legacy and his contribution to this country’s integration story.

Baseball has long held a special place in America’s past and present. It was said to be “America’s favorite pastime.” Fans sang: “Take me out to the ballgame…buy me some peanuts and cracker jack….” Sandlot games were played by kids across the country with no coaches, uniforms, or schedules, just a love of the game. Over the years baseball changed. The game became more organized, and large stadiums and profit became the norm. Media’s role created significant changes in that all you had to do was turn on your TV set and you were there.

In baseball’s earlier days, most people could never have gone to a large city to watch the game. “Barnstorming teams” brought the outstanding players or stars up close to both Black and white folks in the community. For a long time, Black and white teams played each other. Barnstorming had its functional side in that it provided extra income to the players and provided exposure for outstanding Black players. This was baseball when Jackie Robinson took his barnstorming team on the road in 1946. His team included both Black and white players, reflecting his intense desire to see integrated baseball. Both he and Branch Rickey wanted to see this happen; Rickey signed him to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

In the Fall of 1951 in “Wilmington, Delaware, Robinson started what he hoped would be his last barnstorming tour ever, a month-long ramble through some thirty towns and cities….” (Jackie Robinson by Arnold Rampersad). Al Cartwright, Sports Editor for the Wilmington, Every Evening newspaper in Wilmington, Delaware, wrote in his column on September 17, 1951, “Look for a big baseball attraction at Wilmington Park early in October. Two teams of major-league All-Stars, including both white and black players, are going on tour as opponents and the barnstorming series is billed to open here” (Wilmington ballpark). In his column he pointed out that Robin Roberts (former Blue Rocks player and Hall of Famer) was scheduled to pitch for one team, while the other would be led by Jackie Robinson. Robinson’s AllStar Team included Black players Larry Doby, Luke Easter and Sam Jethroe, but “It’s Robinson they come to see,” said their promoter.

In 1951 there was a young boy living in Wilmington, who’d always been interested in what was happening at the ballpark. He’d been batboy and now was clubhouse boy for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, a farm club for the Phillies. He’d met a lot of well-known players, Robin Roberts had dinner at his home, and now he anticipated meeting the great Jackie Robinson. Although the Blue Rocks season was over, Walt still had clubhouse responsibilities for visiting teams.

On gameday Walt saw to it that both clubhouses were ready. Before the game, he remembers being in one of the club houses, noticing Doby and Easter engaged in a spirited conversation, while he was going over things with Jackie Robinson on the other side of the room. To a youngster, the contrast could not have been greater. His 13-year-old mind paid particular attention to details, like the Easter/Doby conversation, but he also noticed Robinson’s charcoal grey pants, his Dodger’s jacket, and the grey in his hair. Walt was well aware of the courtesy with which Robinson treated him as young person. His experience made an impression that has stayed with him for three quarters of a century.

The Jackie Robinson story has taught us a great deal about dignity, decency, and courage. Robinson became a legend, but back in that clubhouse in 1951, he related to that 13-year-old boy, not as just “some kid” or as someone of no importance. Walt didn’t use the words “integrity” or “character” in his young vocabulary, but that is what he sensed in their interaction.

It’s for sure that his legacy lives on to this day in the heart and experience of one 13-year-old boy named Walt, who loved baseball. Robinson left us to ponder these words: “Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you’re wasting your life.”

Walter Shelly retired after 40 years as a professor of political science at West Texas A&M University. Linda Shelly retired after 33 years of teaching sociology at West Texas A&M University and Amarillo College.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Shellys commentary: Jackie Robinson holds special place in baseball