April 15, 2020. Madison, Mississippi. Number 42.

On April 15, every player in the Major League Baseball League wears number 42 on their jersey. It is the only time during the year that any player wears the number 42. It was permanently retired and is not used by any player on any team. The day is a reminder that although life might be difficult for folks right now, in the past things were worse. Jackie Robinson was a great athlete. He was a star in four sports at school and college. Baseball was not his best sport. After school he went into the service in WW2. When the war was over he played one year in the Negro Baseball League. Branch Ricky had been looking for a black player with the skills and disposition to play in the MLB and he found his man in Jackie. Jackie was drafted by the Dodgers and played one year in the minor leagues. April 15, 1947 was the first time that a black man had played in the big leagues. At first he was jeered but his high level skill won over the fans. He did everything well. And he was unfailingly optimistic. He was a winner on and off the baseball diamond. We are missing baseball on April 15, 2020 but we can still give tribute to Jackie Robinson, the first black man to play in major league baseball. It must not have been easy for him. But as we look back at this time, you must wonder just what these people were thinking not allowing black players in the league. Number 42 reminds us that times were tough back then. Next year I look forward to April 15, 2021 to see all players wearing 42, all in homage to Jackie Robinson. But tonight, I do it myself, all by myself and tip my hat to Jackie.