City of Philadelphia finally apologizes for how badly the Phillies treated Jackie Robinson
Friday marked the 69th anniversary of the day Jackie Robinson started his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers, thereby breaking the color barrier in baseball. But back then, there were many around the league and in the stands who were not accepting of Robinson, and the second baseman was forced to endure plenty of horrific treatment as he blazed a trail for black baseball players in MLB.
One of the cities that was particularly harsh on Robinson was Philadelphia. Although Robinson was known for his incredible ability not to respond to the racial jeers and behavior toward him, it was the Phillies who almost caused him to reach a breaking point and fight back, as documented in the Robinson biography "Opening Day" and the 2013 biopic "42."
That film's portrayal of the racism Robinson faced from the Phillies influenced Philadelphia City Council member Helen Gym to examine that chapter of the city's history, and this year the council passed a resolution officially apologizing to Robinson. Gym explained her decision to introduce the resolution to Philly.com:
When Robinson's Dodgers played the Phillies in 1947, he was told to "go back to the cotton fields" by the Phillies' manager, refused service at a local hotel and taunted by players with racial slurs when he came to bat.
Gym presented a resolution, passed by the council last month, before about 100 children, city leaders and Robinson fans — some wearing his No. 42 Dodgers jersey — gathered at the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park. Among them was 79-year-old Carolyn Mitchell, who saw Robinson play as a girl.
Mitchell, who is black, said Friday's ceremony was "very meaningful" and that passing by the park gave her back fond memories of watching baseball growing up. The youngest of eight children and her parents' only daughter, Mitchell took to sports early and saw Robinson play in Philadelphia in the early 1950s.
"He was unbelievable," she recalled, smiling. "He could run like crazy. He used to love to steal bases."
Robinson passed away in 1972. According to Philly.com, the resolution will be presented to his widow, Rachel Robinson.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
