Posted: Apr 12, 07
8:37pm
Sunday, April 15, 2007, marks the 60th anniversary of baseball Hall of Famer Jackie Robinsons magnificent 20th Century feat. He changed professional sports forever by breaking the color barrier.
Although Robinsons uniform No. 42 has been officially retired from all major league baseball teams, Commissioner Bud Selig is allowing players, coaches, and managers to wear No. 42 on the 60th anniversary to honor Jackies legacy.
Ten years ago in 1997, 13 artists marked the 50th anniversary of Robinsons triumph by releasing a mixed genre CD: Jackie Robinson Tribute: Stealing Home, featuring these tracks:
1. Optimistic - Sounds of Blackness
2. Stand! - Sly and the Family Stone
3. Brown Baby - Billy Paul
4. Keep On Doin' - The Isley Brothers
5. Don't Give Up (Church Mix) - Island Inspirational All-Stars
6. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Aretha Franklin
7. This Is My Country - The Impressions
8. Positive - Spearhead
9. Give The People What They Want - The O'Jays
10. Manifest - Fugees
11. Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball? - Count Basie and his Orchestra
12. Stealing Home: For Jack Robinson - Nikki Giovanni
13. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now - Luther Vandross
This collection from Sony Music is a wonderful fusion of styles.
Sounds of Blackness, Spearhead, and the Fugees sprinkle some light hip-hop flava into this ecumenical mix.
Island Inspirational All-Stars add some good gospel praise on Dont Give Up.
Sly and the Family Stone, Billy Paul, The Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, and the OJays offer 5 classic soul tracks that deliver uplifting messages.
The patriotic This is My Country from Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions weaves old school R&B with a compelling, upbeat history lesson, illuminating the inspirational values reflected by the Jackie Robinson story.
Count Basie and his Orchestra really swing with the 1949 recording of "Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?
Poet Nikki Giovanni serves up a sassy recital of Stealing Home: For Jack Robinson.
Luther Vandross interprets the McFadden & Whitehead anthem Aint No Stoppin Us Now rolling to a rollicking stride with effortless zeal.
Jackie Robinson Tribute: Stealing Home is available from several online music sources. This salute radiates sophistication. Its good. After one listen you know No. 42 has been honored with respect.
Here is the official list (courtesy of Major League Baseball) of the players who will be wearing No. 42 on April 15, 2007. Some teams will have multiple players participating, but here, well list just one player per team.
Angels: Gary Matthews Jr.
Astros: All players
Athletics: Milton Bradley
Blue Jays: Vernon Wells
Braves: Andruw Jones
Brewers: All players
Cardinals: All players
Cubs: Derrek Lee
Devil Rays: Carl Crawford
Diamondbacks: Orlando Hudson
Dodgers: All players
Giants: Barry Bonds
Indians: Josh Barfield
Mariners: Arthur Rhodes
Marlins: Dontrelle Willis
Mets: Manager Willie Randolph
Nationals: Dmitri Young
Orioles: Corey Patterson
Padres: Mike Cameron
Phillies: All players
Pirates: All players
Rangers: Manager Ron Washington
Red Sox: Coco Crisp
Reds: Ken Griffey Jr.
Rockies: LaTroy Hawkins
Royals: Reggie Sanders
Tigers: Gary Sheffield
Twins: Torii Hunter
White Sox: Jermaine Dye
Yankees: Derek Jeter
