Enough Jackie Robinson already - Page 3

myasu · 04-20-2010, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbuttons

However, there are a number of young people who don't know about it, those young people that are still getting to know the greatest game ever created. I see it as very necessary to keep things like this in the mind of the next generations.

Very well said.
I totally agree with this.

markprior22 · 04-20-2010, 09:42 AM

I don't know how this became more of a "should JR be recognized" issue but that is not how it was intended. He definitely should have a day and I don't really care if everyone wears 42. He was a great man, went through many struggles (much more than I could ever handle) and deserves the recognition. Hell, make JR day more of a national thing (media, etc) for that one day so even non baseball fans might run across something they didn't know. But his number has been retired through all of baseball and he has a day every year. If it's going to be JR WEEK, let's just call it that. I turn on a SF-SD game (2 teams I don't follow on a regular basis but want to watch because I love baseball) 2 days after JR Day and can't tell who is who because they all are wearing 42 with no names on the jersies...that is frustrating to me.

Dagrims · 04-20-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markprior22

can't tell who is who because they all are wearing 42 with no names on the jersies...that is frustrating to me.

This is what ticks me off about Mariano Rivera. He refuses to stop paying tribute to Jackie Robinson so I can't be certain it's even him.

thomamon · 04-20-2010, 04:16 PM

I have to admit, I absolutely hate having the entire league wear #42 either. If you think of it, its kind of a slap in the face too. You retire the number so nobody can wear it again, then you have a day where everybody does. Kind of defeats the purpose. I wouldn't want any other number being worn by everyone, so I sure don't want this one either. Its a joke when you look out there and see that on the field.

I also hate the fact hat they retired the number all through baseball. I mean seriously? He wasn't on all those teams, so why should they retire it? A retired number is supposed to honor the members of your own team, not everybody elses. The Hall of Fame is what honoring players throughout the league is for.

I also have no no problem with the ceremony they Yankees had for him before the game. Any team is welcome to do that, that is a great tribute in itself.

darkcloud4579 · 04-20-2010, 04:38 PM

While the sentiment is appreciated on some level (the gesture of letting players wear 42 has become overdone) I think that given the sport's longstanding impact on the national consciousness, it's not "overdoing it" because while Jackie is just the symbol, it's really baseball's way of making penance for an ugly history.

Others might think this is "overkill" but they need to read more.

Skipaway · 04-20-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markprior22

I don't know how this became more of a "should JR be recognized" issue but that is not how it was intended. He definitely should have a day and I don't really care if everyone wears 42. He was a great man, went through many struggles (much more than I could ever handle) and deserves the recognition. Hell, make JR day more of a national thing (media, etc) for that one day so even non baseball fans might run across something they didn't know. But his number has been retired through all of baseball and he has a day every year. If it's going to be JR WEEK, let's just call it that. I turn on a SF-SD game (2 teams I don't follow on a regular basis but want to watch because I love baseball) 2 days after JR Day and can't tell who is who because they all are wearing 42 with no names on the jersies...that is frustrating to me.

They are gradually expanding it because it worked. It's like most typical marketing efforts: you try something, and expand it when it works. Then you expand it till it overloads and people aren't interested anymore. Then they'd scale it back.

Bluenoser · 04-20-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

I don't have the time or interest to wade through all these posts. I will just add my voice to OP in that, yes, it does seem like we are bending over backwards, doesn't it?

He was a great man, a courageous man, and I admire his accomplishments very much. I respect MLB retiring #42 across the league, although I can think of some others who might also be awarded that honor (#3 comes to mind). But this business of everybody wearing #42 one day a year looks a bit ridiculous.

In a way, I think it actually detracts from honoring Jackie Robinson, like some silly lip service or a rigamarole to make all of us feel oh so liberated and guilt-free. I can imagine Robinson laughing his ass off at the players wearing his number, then grabbing a bat and glove and saying "after you guys take off my damned jersey, let's play us some baseball."

Is that the same as everybody waving an American Flag all day on the 4th of July? Does that look ridiculous too?

I sure hope not.

It's honoring a historical event, a big part of history. Same as honoring JR, it's not just about him, but about what he represented. His accomplishment was for a lot more than just one black man or the game of baseball.

Stinson · 04-20-2010, 06:16 PM

I have to agree with the original post.

I forget when it was, probably a few months or so ago, I was watching a game where everyone had the 42. I thought it was pretty clever, and really liked it. And then, just a week or two ago (I believe it was April 15th), the Phillies were doing it in one of their games, making it the second time I've seen it done.

And now, last night I turn on the Mets/Cubs, and there it is again...? I fully respect a tribute to a legend, especially one who had to go through so much, but in my opinion, this #42 idea is being way overused, and thus starting to become a gimmick.

Simply picking one day of the year when all teams are playing, and then have them all wear 42 would be tribute enough. No sense in doing it seemingly every week.

Left-handed Badger · 04-27-2010, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bababui

UCLA can be proud to have produced both Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens.

ANd the first 2 guys to play football after blacks were prohibited. Woody Strode (who later played in several John Ford westerns) and (something) Washington (I cant think of the first name I think Ken) in 1946. In fact they played with Robinson on the football team at UCLA.

Jason Moyer · 04-27-2010, 09:36 AM

Honoring Jackie is great, although I think it's weird that Branch Rickey isn't honored in the same way.

AndrewG · 04-27-2010, 01:13 PM

Id say a patch on uniforms and a pre game ceremony that each park holds the same day is fine....

04-20-2010, 04:38 PM	#45
darkcloud4579 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 8,715	While the sentiment is appreciated on some level (the gesture of letting players wear 42 has become overdone) I think that given the sport's longstanding impact on the national consciousness, it's not "overdoing it" because while Jackie is just the symbol, it's really baseball's way of making penance for an ugly history. Others might think this is "overkill" but they need to read more. __________________ ------ My Mods OOTP Advanced Stats & DFS Suite Managerial Strategy Pack Competitive Balance Tax Calculator Major League Women's Baseball (OOTP24) quickstart Indian Premier League \| 300+ years of baseball quickstart \| Expatriate League quickstart \| Off-Field Injuries Update \| Women's Name File for OOTP \| ---- Dynasty classics: Centurion comes to OOTP5 \| DC Moneyball Dynasty (2004)

04-20-2010, 06:16 PM	#48
Stinson Minors (Triple A) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 257	I have to agree with the original post. I forget when it was, probably a few months or so ago, I was watching a game where everyone had the 42. I thought it was pretty clever, and really liked it. And then, just a week or two ago (I believe it was April 15th), the Phillies were doing it in one of their games, making it the second time I've seen it done. And now, last night I turn on the Mets/Cubs, and there it is again...? I fully respect a tribute to a legend, especially one who had to go through so much, but in my opinion, this #42 idea is being way overused, and thus starting to become a gimmick. Simply picking one day of the year when all teams are playing, and then have them all wear 42 would be tribute enough. No sense in doing it seemingly every week. Last edited by Stinson; 04-20-2010 at 06:20 PM.

04-27-2010, 09:36 AM	#50
Jason Moyer Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,112	Honoring Jackie is great, although I think it's weird that Branch Rickey isn't honored in the same way. __________________ "I pretty much popped everything cold turkey. We were doing steroids they wouldn't give to horses." -- Tom House "I was very fortunate to have a pitching coach by the name of Tom House...Tom, I really miss those days that we spent in the weight room and out on the field working together." -- Nolan Ryan's HoF Induction Speech

04-20-2010, 09:42 AM	#42
markprior22 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: springfield, illinois Posts: 1,249	I don't know how this became more of a "should JR be recognized" issue but that is not how it was intended. He definitely should have a day and I don't really care if everyone wears 42. He was a great man, went through many struggles (much more than I could ever handle) and deserves the recognition. Hell, make JR day more of a national thing (media, etc) for that one day so even non baseball fans might run across something they didn't know. But his number has been retired through all of baseball and he has a day every year. If it's going to be JR WEEK, let's just call it that. I turn on a SF-SD game (2 teams I don't follow on a regular basis but want to watch because I love baseball) 2 days after JR Day and can't tell who is who because they all are wearing 42 with no names on the jersies...that is frustrating to me.

04-20-2010, 04:16 PM	#44
thomamon Global Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,274	I have to admit, I absolutely hate having the entire league wear #42 either. If you think of it, its kind of a slap in the face too. You retire the number so nobody can wear it again, then you have a day where everybody does. Kind of defeats the purpose. I wouldn't want any other number being worn by everyone, so I sure don't want this one either. Its a joke when you look out there and see that on the field. I also hate the fact hat they retired the number all through baseball. I mean seriously? He wasn't on all those teams, so why should they retire it? A retired number is supposed to honor the members of your own team, not everybody elses. The Hall of Fame is what honoring players throughout the league is for. I also have no no problem with the ceremony they Yankees had for him before the game. Any team is welcome to do that, that is a great tribute in itself.

04-27-2010, 01:13 PM	#51
AndrewG Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pointe Claire, PQ, CANADA Posts: 317	Id say a patch on uniforms and a pre game ceremony that each park holds the same day is fine....