On this day of national remembrance, we celebrate not only Martin Luther King, but his universal message of opportunity, respect, and love for all people. But before Rosa Parks refused her assigned seat, and before Martin Luther King lead the ensuing bus boycott in Montgomery, there was already a freedom warrior in the fight against hatred and ignorance. The main front in his war? The heart and soul of our National Pastime. His unlikely battle ground? Ebbets Field, and every ballpark in the National League. His unlikely weapons? A baseball bat and glove. His name? Jackie Robinson.
As I researched this article I realized that, despite all I have heard about him, I did not fully understand the greatness of Jackie Robinson the man.