PHOENIX — As all of Major League Baseball celebrated
Jackie Robinson Day on Sunday, the 65th anniversary of Robinson breaking the
game's color barrier, Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton reflected on his
small place in Robinson's legacy.
In 2004, Upton won the inaugural Jackie Robinson Award as the national high
school player of the year, as decided by Perfect Game and Baseball America. The
annual award recognizes a high school senior for outstanding character,
leadership and dedication to academics and community.
Upton, an African-American who played shortstop at Great Bridge High School in
Chesapeake, Va., traveled to Baltimore to accept the award from Robinson's
widow, Rachel Robinson, and iconic Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. It was an
experience that's meant more and more to Upton every year since, particularly
on April 15.
"Just seeing the meaning of (Jackie Robinson Day) every year in the big
leagues, it's an unbelievable feeling that I was a part of that — on a much
smaller stage," Upton said. "Being honored that way just an awesome
thing and it's something I won't forget."
Perhaps the most memorable part of the experience for Upton was meeting Rachel
Robinson, who met Jackie Robinson in 1941 while both attended UCLA. Upton
recalls being in awe of her and still seems so when speaking of their meeting.
"It was kind of a surreal feeling," Upton said. "Knowing that
she was such a big part of his life when he was going through the tough times
breaking into baseball and being able to shake her hand just made that a day to
really appreciate, because not a lot of people get that chance."
The D-backs joined all of baseball Sunday in honoring Robinson by wearing No.
42, which was retired throughout the game in 1997, during their game in
Colorado. On Monday, the team honored Robinson at Chase Field prior to their
game with the Pirates.
As part of the home celebration, the D-backs had ceremonial first pitches
thrown by three members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American
pilots in the US military and a group who fought in World War II at a time when
the military was still segregated in some states.
Upton, along with teammates J.J. Putz and Gerardo Parra, crouched behind home
plate to catch one of the pitches, a small way to do his part in furthering
Robinson's legacy.
Though Upton was not the first player to be recognized in Robinson's name —
baseball's Rookie of the Year Award was renamed for Robinson in 1987 — nor did
he break any barriers as Robinson did, the honor has had a lasting effect.
"It was an awesome experience," Uptin said. "I was so honored.
When you're a young kid, you hear about Jackie Robinson, but you never get the
appreciation until later. I'm at this level where Jackie broke in and it makes
it a lot more special now.
"It was just one of those things you can't really put into words until you
look back on it a few years later."
Upton knew plenty about Robinson before receiving the award. Growing up, his
parents taught him about Robinson and the struggles he faced to reach the major
leagues and the adversity he battled once he got there. Still, forging a small
connection to the pioneer of integrated baseball made him appreciate Robinson's
impact on the game even more.
As he proudly wore No. 42 across his back Sunday, Upton thought back to the day
he accepted the Jackie Robinson Award. He was a young player yet to begin his
professional career, a career at least in a small way made possible by
Robinson's courage 65 years ago.
"On a special day like that, you think about it," Upton said.
"It's an awesome thing to be part of it every year, just being able to
honor Jackie and what he did for the game."
