Robinson Cano's parents honored Jackie Robinson in the best way possible, naming their son after the man who made it possible for Cano and all minority players to play the game of baseball. Tonight, Cano is saluting the great Robinson in his own way.
Cano participated in a pre-game ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson for breaking the color barrier in baseball on April 15, 1947. The New York Yankees second baseman had a big hug and smile for Robinson's widow Rachel and his family. Then he honored the legend out on the baseball field in a way that the great Robinson would probably appreciate, with two home runs and a fantastic defensive play.
Curtis Granderson made a wonderful point about Jackie Robinson, saying he helped start the civil rights movement long before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr without even knowing it. He's absolutely right about that. Robinson somehow managed to rise above all the insults and racist rhetoric to become a superstar in the sport and prove that minorities could play baseball at the highest level.
Granderson also noted that Robinson made it possible for not only minorities, but foreigners to play the sport. Granderson would know, being an African-American player himself as well as Major League Baseball's ambassador. "That's pretty much what Jackie Robinson is," he said.
Mariano Rivera understands Robinson’s legacy and appreciates the fact that he will be the last major leaguer ever to wear his number 42. "I could not be more thankful to the Lord that I had the opportunity to be the one," he said.
Thanks to Bob Sandberg via Wikipedia for the photo.
Indeed! Makes you believe in fate =)
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