42 today

i just read last night that mlb would be celebrating jackie robinson day today, which marks the 75th anniversary of his signing by the brooklyn dodgers. this is due to the fact that there were no games played on april 15th, the anniversary of jackie's mlb debut and the day that is usually reserved for the celebration, due to the pandemic. as one of the dodgers who followed in jackie's footsteps, tommy davis, said, jackie "has to be remembered every year".  this year it is especially important, i think, as there is so much yet to be done to eliminate racial injustice in our society.

i have no idea what it means to be anything other than what i am, but i try to understand. i recognize that i was born on third base (white, male, american), but i am blessed with parents and friends who have taught me empathy and prevented me from having a ego or false sense of entitlement. i read and research and don't knee-jerk reactions to events but it is hard these days to not lose hope that there can be justice for all. i will proudly vote for joe biden in november after proudly voting for hillary in 2016. this shit has got to stop, and i believe it will only get worse with four more years of the jackass currently at 1600 west pennsylvania avenue and his band of assholes. not that these issues will magically go away or be fixed, but at least there would be some acknowledgement from leadership that they exist and must be addressed.

in card related news, i've been adding some cards to my '42' collection. at least to the part of the collection that features jackie's retired number in the background. but first, i came across a duplicate of this 2004 upper deck sweet spot classic card

that commemorates the retirement of 42 across major league baseball. i decided to use this card as a 'header' for my 42 collection. the other cards i've found to add include this 1998 upper deck mark wohlers card (card back, actually)

as it shows the retired number in the background. not sure what stadium wohlers is pitching in there, but i don't think it is busch  as much as i want the photo to match the caption text.

here's a 2000 upper deck mvp card of derek jeter

with a photo from the oakland coliseum showing number 42. the a's have done well displaying their retired numbers as they show up on a number of cards.

it's harder to find the retired number 42 on these next two cards from 2009 upper deck o-pee-chee

but it is there out in centerfield on a banner next to the two world championship banners. i really liked how jackie was honored in the metrodome - it was good to see dodger blue everytime i attended a game there.

moving to target field, the twins placed their retired numbers on the facade in foul territory down the left field line. this 2019 topps stadium club eddie rosario card

gives a good look at them, with 42 being the one on the far left.  and, this 2020 topps opening day insert of tc bear

also shows the number 42, along with the newly added number 7 for joe mauer.

i've taken time today to think about jackie's legacy and what i can do to positively impact the lives of others. i invite you to do the same.

thank you, jackie robinson.