Selig: Jackie Robinson ‘was the most electrifying player I’ve ever seen’
Article By rfagan.tsn on 8th March, 2010
The Jackie Robinson Foundation will honor Selig at its awards banquet tonight in New York with a Robie Award, given to "individuals who embody the humanitarian ideals of Jackie Robinson." Selig, a self-described American history buff who calls Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier in 1947 "one of the most important moments of the 20th century," recently spoke about the honor -- and its namesake -- with Sporting News' Ryan Fagan.
Bud Selig has been baseball commissioner since 1992. Sporting New: How big of an honor is this for you?
Bud Selig: I've often said that I think baseball's proudest, most meaningful moment was April 15, 1947. When I think what Branch Rickey did, who I have deep admiration for, after all, think about this: He did it before the Civil Rights movement, per se, he did it before Harry Truman desegregated the United States Army, he did it before the famed Brown vs. the Board of Education decision. It's remarkable.
And Jackie, under incredible pressure, pressure that -- I've talked to a lot of people about this over the years -- was just stunning. And he made it, and it was just a remarkable chapter in baseball history.
So here, a man that I admire so much and to get their historic lifetime achievement award, given how I feel, I must tell you, is a wonderful honor. And I'm really deeply touched by it.
SN: Baseball retired Robinson's number in 1997. Where does that rank on the list of accomplishments during your time as commissioner?
BS: Very high. I'm very proud of the wild card and revenue sharing the interleague play and the whole restructuring of the game, and our Internet company and our channel. But the favorite part of my career, which is 45 years old now, is what I call the sociological part.
The impact that this sport has in society is remarkable, absolutely remarkable. Its history is revered like no other history. Here's the whole J...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Bud Selig has been baseball commissioner since 1992. Sporting New: How big of an honor is this for you?
Bud Selig: I've often said that I think baseball's proudest, most meaningful moment was April 15, 1947. When I think what Branch Rickey did, who I have deep admiration for, after all, think about this: He did it before the Civil Rights movement, per se, he did it before Harry Truman desegregated the United States Army, he did it before the famed Brown vs. the Board of Education decision. It's remarkable.
And Jackie, under incredible pressure, pressure that -- I've talked to a lot of people about this over the years -- was just stunning. And he made it, and it was just a remarkable chapter in baseball history.
So here, a man that I admire so much and to get their historic lifetime achievement award, given how I feel, I must tell you, is a wonderful honor. And I'm really deeply touched by it.
SN: Baseball retired Robinson's number in 1997. Where does that rank on the list of accomplishments during your time as commissioner?
BS: Very high. I'm very proud of the wild card and revenue sharing the interleague play and the whole restructuring of the game, and our Internet company and our channel. But the favorite part of my career, which is 45 years old now, is what I call the sociological part.
The impact that this sport has in society is remarkable, absolutely remarkable. Its history is revered like no other history. Here's the whole J...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
