Conclusion

Jackie Robinson at his Stamford, Conn., home, in June 30, 1971; picture provided by the Associated Press

The black press, i.e. The Pittsburgh Courier, and the white press, i.e. the Daily Worker and the New York Times, demonstrate their attitude toward Robinson's debut in Major League Baseball through the use of language, tone of voice, and the focus of the topics in their reports.

The Pittsburgh Courier expressed much joy to see a black representative in a major American sport. Robinson is not the best player of the Negro Leagues, but his style of playing and his willingness to fight for the position differentiate himself from other black players as well as his white counterparts. He has shown that he is a private and relative quiet person in front of the media. Not only he is the pioneer for the black community to play in the big league, but also he is lonely due to his background and skin color. The newspaper has tried to make Robinson as visible as possible to show the pride of the black community. They follow Robinson's debut closely by publishing articles and pictures of him playing on the field. The newspaper, however, does not call him Negro like the white press. Instead, it refers him by his name. It is a collective effort from the whole black community to embrace a significant individual and support Robinson's success in professional sports.

For the traditional white press, this is a historic occasion in American history. However, they don't have any tie with Robinson like the Pittsburgh Courier does. In a society where segregation and discrimination are practice, they of course call Robinson Negro in all published articles. But the attitudes toward Robinson are quite different in the New York Times and the Daily Worker. The New York Times remains its hard news reporting style by publishing lots of facts without much praise or criticism on Robinson's performance. As Gabriel said in the interview, the white press tend to reserve its opinions. The New York Times does exactly that. In addition, the publication also points out the reality that Robinson and the Dodger organization may face during the season. It gives a reality check which is confirmed by Gabriel as he tells the story in Philadelphia where team manager instructs players to verbally abuse Robinson as he steps onto the field.

On the other hand, the Daily Worker focuses on the scenes at the ballpark and reactions of fans. The style of reporting may be affected by the fact that the newspaper is a more local publication rather than a national publication. It also emphasizes on the body language of Robinson on the field and in the dugout that people may not notice. The Daily Worker provides a fairly welcome attitude toward Robinson's debut in Major League Baseball.

Through this research, I am able to illustrate the overall picture of Robinson's debut and gain the knowledge of media treatment toward Robinson. As Henry Aaron points out, Robinson plays for himself and the black community. He is a pioneer; therefore, everyone looks up to him. The media treat Robinson different due to the color differences. But everyone agrees the fact that he is a solid contributor on the field and an extraordinary person off the field.

The Trailblazer

Hank Aaron, a baseball Hall of Famer and the previous home-run king with 755 in the pocket, pays his tribute to Jackie Robinson in an article published in the Time Magazine in June 14, 1999.

Aaron discusses how Robinson lifted the black community by breaking the color line in professional baseball. Prior to Robinson's career with the Dodgers, Aaron did not event try to convince his parents that he would like to play ball professionally. "Before Jackie Robinson broke the color line, I wasn't permitted even to think about being a professional baseball player. I once mentioned something to my father about it, and he said, 'Ain't no colored ballplayers.' There were the Negro Leagues, of course, where the Dodgers discovered Jackie, but my mother, like most, would rather her son be a schoolteacher than a Negro Leaguer. All that changed when Jackie put on No. 42 and started stealing bases in a Brooklyn uniform." It is clear that the Negro League at the time does not have the respect from every demographic. Robinson not only play baseball for himself to prove that he is just as valuable and competitive as white counterparts, but also he plays for the black community. Aaron writes, "The circulation of the Pittsburgh Courier, the leading black newspaper, increased by 100,000 when it began reporting on him regularly. All over the country, black preachers would call together their congregations just to pray for Jackie and urge them to demonstrate the same forbearance that he did." Robinson's successful years with the Dodgers also inspire players like Henry Aaron and many others in generations to come. "I don't think it's a coincidence that the black players of the late '50 and '60 - me, Roy Campanella, Monte Irvin, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, Frank Robinson, Bob Gibson and others - dominated the National League. If we played as if we were on a mission, it was because Jackie Robinson had send us out on one." Robinson's impact also affects the baseball personnel employment in the management positions. Frank Robinson became the first black manager in 1975. Because he is the first, he takes the most heat. Without Robinson, baseball fans won't be able to watch the great players like Aaron and Mays who are in the Hall of Fame now. Without him, baseball fans won't be able to enjoy the current greats who will follow the foot steps of Robinson to be inducted into the Hall of Fame when they retire.

Interview with Gabriel Schechter

Gabriel Schechter is a research associate at The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. I believe his specialty in baseball education program at the museum will provide valuable information for my project. It is critical to understand the environment of professional baseball since it is a major American sports. Through baseball, we can see how people (both black and white) are willing to open their hearts to accept a minority into their sports.

Here is a transcript of the interview:

Q: What’s people’s perception about Jackie Robinson as a player and as a person before he broke into the Major League Baseball?

A: The perceptions of him as a player were all very positive. He was not regarded as the best player in the Negro Leagues, or even one of the very top players, but a very solid player. When he played in Montréal, he was one of the most valuable players in the league. So his arrival in the Major League was greatly anticipated by fans and the press. In baseball, no matter what of a player’s personal quality might be, the main thing that people judge a player by is how he does on the field and certainly in the case of Robinson. I’ve been able to find a few accounts of his debut in the Major League, and almost exclusively they talked about how he did on the field. In the early games, they did not judge him in advance as a player. They waited to see what he would do although he didn’t have a great first game. He got quite a lot of approval in the press for the way he played. As you know, he was the rookie of the year in the National League that season. So he impact as a player was extremely impressive. And the press focused on those parts.

As a person, my impression is that the newspapers naturally noted that this fine Negro player was playing. But they didn’t seem to focus on the race question.

For the black press, this is the greatest thing for them…it was a much bigger thing for the black press than for the white press. I think the white tended to reserve the judgment on him. I saw a good quote by Jimmy Cannon who was a well-know writer in New York who visited Robinson in the hotel room. Jimmy Cannon on the New York Post called Robinson “the loneliest man I have ever seen in sports.” Because he was unable to interact socially with his team, he was of course still subject to the segregation wherever he went. He was isolated in the hotel room, at home he was isolated with his family. The other factor is that Branch Ricky had instructed Robinson to keep him low profile. Rickey didn’t want to make an issue of race. Ricky just wanted him to be a ball player. Part of Rickey’s formula for that, it was a kind of passive resistance to the racism and segregation that Robinson encountered. You can wonder whether this helped Robinson played better or whether it hurt him, distracted him, or whether he would’ve been a better player than he is…allow to fight back early on, you can speculate about that…but certainly the way his career went, the way he was accepted despite the obstacles, you have to say Rickey probably has a great formula.

Q: What happened in Philadelphia?

A: When Brooklyn went to other cities in the league, fans were really against Brooklyn to begin with. In Philadelphia, he met more hostilities than any place else in the league. Philadelphia manager Ben Chapman was a Southerner and a racist. He instructed his players to verbally abuse Robinson. As soon as Robinson was out on the field, they were screaming at him…every other racist and intimidating expression they can come up with...of course upset Robinson, and upset his teammates on the side…Chapman never regretted doing it. His defense was that "we harassed all of opposing players…"

Q: How did media cover that incident?

A: The media were referred to it indirectly. The reaction to what Chapman did was so strong; the fans sitting in the stand behind the dugout can hear what was going on. Brooklyn was outraged. It was ranged by team officials to have Robinson and Chapman post together for photograph that the newspapers were publish. They agreed to do that although they both putting their hands on back together. Not actually shaking hands because Chapman wouldn’t shake hands with him. Their expressions were kind of chilling in the photograph but they did have this photo taken together…sort of making peace although they didn’t. That was a strange use of media to create the impression that everything was ok.

Q: If Robinson played for a team in another city, such as Boston and Philadelphia, do you think that he would receive the same treatment from the New York press? Or better or worse?

A: He was in New York City, specifically in Brooklyn which was a much integrated environment that helped his reception…without knowing other places, it’s probably true that Brooklyn is about the most welcoming place for him.

Summary:

Gabriel doesn’t want to judge other cities without knowing the environment well. However, based on the reputation of places, such as Boston and St. Louis, where has a strong history of discrimination and racism, he would like to think that Brooklyn provided Robinson the most welcoming environment to be the first black player in the Major League Baseball since 1884. This interview helps me to understand the overall environment and attitude in professional baseball toward Robinson. The city of New York and members of Dodgers are the first to welcome Robinson while other teams still express their resistance to accept a talented player who happens to be black.

The Pittsburg Courier national edition, April 19th, 1947

The Pittsburgh Courier is one of the major black newspapers in the country at the time with a national edition and a Washington edition. I only find a copy of the national edition published in April 19th, 1947 on a microfilm in the Knight Library at the University of Oregon.

The newspaper shows multiple pictures of Robinson with Dodgers' uniform on and pictures of the crowd on the front page. In addition, it features numerous pictures of Robinson on and off the field competing, with his family, or with Dodgers personnels on page 19. It gives the audience a feeling of special report on Robinson's historic debut in the Major League.

In Wendell Smith's report on the exhibition series between the Dodgers and the Yankees, he shows the excitement of the black community and fans. It is truly a tremendous occasion for African Americans to have a representative in one of the major American sports. Black fans are trying to come up with money just to be able to watch Robinson play...in the exhibition game. After decades of segregation and discrimination, society finally advances to another level and begins to integrate through sports. This report also provides a different perspective from the black community. The New York area press, such as the Daily Worker and the New York Times, demonstrate their attitude and reporting style from the white press perspective. The Pittsburgh Courier offers a different type of voice, and the voice that may have similar opinions to Robinson's.

April 16th, 1947

The Daily Worker

With all the hypes about Jackie Robinson being the first black player to compete in Major League Baseball since 1884, the newspaper really slows down to report on Robinson's debut. One reason is that Robinson did not do much throughout the game, going hitless in four at bats. In Lester Rodney's article regarding Dodgers' opening day victory over the Boston Braves, he writes a brief paragraph about Robinson's performance, "The opener also marked the official debut of Jackie Robinson, the first Negro player in modern big league history. Jackie went hitless in four trips to the plate but his beautiful bunt played a big role in the Dodger's three run rally which put them ahead in the 7th." Due to Robinson's insignificant performance against the Braves, the Daily Worker really has nothing to hype up for. Rather, it becomes another opening day of Major League Baseball while Robinson's teammate shines to help the team to win. The newspaper does not even post a picture of Robinson playing throughout the entire publication on this day.


The New York Times

Arthur Daley reports on Jackie Robinson's debut in his column "Sports of the Times." Daley describes the scene at the ball park and Robinson's reaction to the game. "The muscular Negro minds his own business and shrewdly makes no effort to push himself. He speaks quietly and intelligently when spoken to and already has made a strong impression. 'I was nervous in the first day of my first game at Ebbets Field,' he said with his ready grin, 'but nothing has bothered me since.'" He also reports on the reaction of Robinson's teammates about the uneventful day for the newcomer. "A veteran Dodger said of him, 'Having Jackie on the team is still a little strange, just like anything else that's new. We just don't know how to act with him. But he'll be accepted in time. You can be sure of that. Other sports have had Negroes. Why not baseball? I'm for him, if he can win games. That's the only test I ask.' And that seems to be the general opinion." Through the remark of Robinson's teammate, they have a quite bit distance from Robinson. They need time to accept Robinson as a person and as a member of the team. For the time being, they just hope that Robinson can help the team to be a contender for the playoffs later of the season. This occasion is the starting point to deal with segregation and discrimination in professional baseball.

Opening Day, April 15th, 1947

from left are Dodgers' John Jorgensen, Pee Wee Reese, Ed Stanky and Jackie Robinson, April 15, 1947; picture provided by the Associated Press

The Daily Worker

Lester Rodney writes a column about the the cheers to Jackie Robinson in the previous exhibition games. He reports on his observation about Robinson's subtle reaction in these games where fans cheer everytime he goes on bat, "...it took no remarkable perception to know that beneath Jackie's smile was at least a little wish to be let alone and treated just like any other rookie..." Imagine yourself being an extreme minority in a group; there are not much you can do other than smiling and being nice to others. You can't really be yourself. Robinson has been known for being a private person. The media attention and the pressure to succeed probably make him uneasy at times. His body language expresses that uneasiness as few people may notice.

Then Rodney offers his observation on the remarks of a journalist who expresses his opinions on the cheers to Robinson. As the crowd applaud Robinson when he steps in to bat, this journalist says, "I wish they would stop that already and just treat him as another ball player." Rodney acknowledges his agreement with the journalist. But this type of remark is expressed ahead of time. Robinson's appearance with the Dodgers is a historic moment; therefore, fans should cheer for him. As more and more black players would involve in baseball in the future, then fans probably won't be excited as in 1947. As Rodney later says, "The cheers are are saying something, something that will make it easier for Negro players to come, for the day when there'll be no special pressure upon an American ballplayer whose skin happens to be dark."


The New York Times

Arthur Daley offers his observation about the debut of Jackie Robinson in Major League Baseball. In the sports column "Sports of the Times" titled "Play Ball!" Daley illustrates the pressure that is waiting for Robinson. "Robinson almost has to be another DiMaggio in making good from the opening whistle. It's not fair to him, but no one can do anything about it but himself. Pioneers never had it easy and Robinson, perforce, is a pioneer. His spectacular season in the International League is no guarantee that he'll click just as sensationally in the Big Times. Too many minor-league phenomenons have failed for this to be a guide line. It's his burden to carry from now on and he must carry it alone." Daley's column shows the extraordinary pressure that Robinson is facing. Not only he is a rookie but also is he a minority with dark skin. The expectations are high, and the standard is different for Robinson. From a "white newspaper" perspective, Daley demonstrates the reality of the business.

April 12th, 1947

The Daily Worker

The Daily Worker features a large picture of fans lean over the Brooklyn Dodger s' dugout to ask for Jackie Robinson's autograph on the front page of the newspaper. On the right side of that picture, the newspaper informs readers about a sports column "Fans Say: 'We Want Leo; We're With Jackie'" and an article "Dodger Fans Welcome Jackie's Debut" regarding Robinson's first appearance as a Dodger in the preseason exhibition game. In Abner Berry's article, he describes the scene at the ball park and the reaction of fans with details.

For instance, "A youthful Negro fan sitting next to me confided he knew nothing about the game, he had had to work too hard to play it or to learn it. But he had to come and see Jackie. White and Negro fans surrounding him shared their program with him and kept him up to date on the plays and players" Berry writes. In another occasion, one fan is frustrated by Robinson's hitless performance and expresses his downer attitude. Then Berry writes, "He was interrupted by a young fan among the group down front that had been chanting, 'Come on Jackie! Come on Jackie.' The young Dodger-Robinson fan stood up, turned around and shouted back to the groaner, 'Don't be a blabbermouth! Pipe Down, will you?' From then on, the left field stands were all Jackie's." It is clear that the majority of Dodger fans - white and black - are excited about this newcomer through Berry's observation at the ball park a few days before Robinson's official debut in Major League Baseball.

On the other hand, Lester Rodney's column focuses on Robinson's reaction toward the hype of his appearance in the Major. He writes, "It seemed almost foolish to ask him the bromidic question ' How do you feel?' He said, 'I'm thrilled-' shook his head and added, 'It's a big day.' He obviously has a sense of history, not an easy thing to express. 'I'm thrilled...not only for myself' was the way he said it." This report shows that Robinson himself feels the pressure of making history. His every move and words represent the African American community in the world of Caucasian.

In both articles, no word discusses the result of the game; rather, both journalists focus on Robinson's debut with the Dodgers and his participation in the exhibition game. Berry and Rodney illustrate the magnitude of this occasion in American history indirectly instead of focusing on the game itself.


The New York Times

Unlike the Daily Worker, The New York Times rather focuses on what happened during the game. Louis Effrat uses a couple of sentences to welcome Robinson on his first appearance with the Dodgers. His article begin with a sentence like this "With Jackie Robinson, first Negro with a major league club since 1884, playing nine innings at first base flawlessly..." Later of the same paragraph, Effrat writes, "The 28 year-old Robinson whose contract had been purchased from Montreal on Thursday, received a pleasant reception from the fans and the players." The newspaper choose a rather safe path on this occasion. The report takes on a neutral position instead of paying heavy attention to the reaction of fans and Robinson himself. However, the newspaper does show a picture of Robinson posting with Dodger personnels in the dugout prior to the game. Robinson and acting manager Sukeforth have smile on their faces looking at each other next to coach Jake Pitler and coach Ray Blades. The picture and the reporting style show the attitude of the New York Times toward Robinson's appearance with the Dodgers.

April 11th, 1947

Brooklyn Dodgers' Jackie Robinson, first black to ever be admitted into the Major Leagues, is at first base at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, April 11, 1947; picture provide by the Associated Press

Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers poses at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, N.Y., April 11, 1947; picture provided by the Associated Press

Jackie Robinson, first Negro baseball player to be signed by a major league club goes though some infield practice March 4, 1946 after reporting with the Montreal Royals of the International League in Sanford, FL; picture provided by the Associated Press

The Daily Worker

The newspaper features a bold and clear message on top of its front page announcing the news of Robinson being a Dodger, "Robinson on Dodgers!" On the left side of the headline, a picture of Robinson in baseball uniform with a gesture that symbolizes the fact he is ready for the big time. On the third page of the newspaper, a brief report on the signing of Robinson with the Dodgers. It also includes a quote from the Dodgers general manager, Branch Rickey, "The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the contract of Jackie Robinson from the Montreal Royals." Then the report goes on to page 10 where expresses the excitement of fans as they get the news during an exhibition game between the Dodgers and the Royals.

In the sports column of the same page, Bill Mardo discusses the news from Rickey's perspective. His tone of voice gives a sense that the Dodgers and Rickey are taking a risk by signing a talented athlete with dark skin. They decide to sign Robinson because that's the future of baseball. "You think of Branch Rickey, a man whose many-sided personality is one of the most unique things in sports. A practical business man with a knowledge of baseball that nobody else can match. A man who once convinced that Negroes in big league baseball was some day inevitable, yielded to the popular demands of Brooklyn fans, and once he took the plunge, never faltered again." Robinson is not the only person/entity facing tremendous pressure; the Dodgers and Branch Rickey are on the hot seats to face racial issue in sports as well.


The New York Times

Louis Effrat of the newspaper publishes an article about the announcement of Dodgers' decision to sign Jackie Robinson. It includes everything - when, where, who, and what - that the readers need to know about the partnership. He acknowledges this significant occasion by writing, "The decision was made while Robinson was playing first base for Montreal against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Jackie was blanked at the plate and contributed little to his team's 4-3 vitory before 14,282 fans, but it was nevertheless, a history-making day for the well-proportioned lad."

Following the introduction section of the report, Effrat use the next section to express the reality of this partnership. He writes, "Robinson's path in the immediate future may not be too smooth, however. He may run into antipathy from Southerners who form about 60 per cent of the league's playing strength. In fact, it is rumored that a number of Dodgers expressed themselves unhappy at the possibility of having to play with Jackie." But he also acknowledge that the signing does not surprise anyone in the baseball circuit. "The call for Robinson was no surprise. Most baseball persons had been expecting it. After all, he had proved his right to the opportunity by his extraordinary work in the AAA minor league..."

This is probably the most in-depth article published by the New York Times about Robinson's appearance in the Big League. The newspaper takes a neutral position to report on this history-making news. It is the typical New york Times style, but it is also a much safer style by simply delivering the message. The article even pays tribute to the last black player in the major league system. "According to the records, the last Negro to play in the majors was one Moses Fleetwood Walker, who caught for Toledo of the American Association when that circuit enjoyed major-league classification back in 1884." However, Effrat fails to inform where he gets the information as he represents a prestigious publication in the country.

About Jackie

front cover of Time Magazine on September 22, 1947; picture provide by the Time Magazine

Jack R. Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, and grew up in Pasadena, California. Robinson was a talented athlete and lettered in baseball, basketball, football, and track while attending UCLA.

He started his professional baseball career with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Negro Leagues in 1945. Later that year, Robinson made a historic move by signing a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He joined the Dodgers' farm team, the Montreal Royals, and had a successful year in 1946 - batting .349 with 155 hits and 66 RBIs. On January 15th, 1947, Robinson became the first black player to compete in Major League Baseball since the 19th century. During his 10 seasons with the Dodgers, Robinson accomplished several personal achievements, including Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the Most Valuable Player Award of the National League in 1949, and helped the club to win the World Series in 1955. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Information provided by The Jackie Robinson Foundation and The Minor League Baseball

Research Method & Sources

Jackie Robinson's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers was highly anticipated by fans and many media outlets. The New York Times and Daily Worker (NY.) published several articles prior and after the occasion as well as the day when Robinson carried the bat with the Dodgers' uniform on in the ball park. The Pittsburgh Courier (PA.) - one of few black newspapers distributed nationally at the time - reported on the event with its National Edition and Washington Edition. I intend to analyze the use of language of these newspapers to picture the overall image of the scene on and off the field.

Originally, I was able to get a hold of Mr. William C. Rhoden, a sports columnist of the New York Times, for a phone interview. Mr. Rhoden published a book "Forty Million Dollar Slaves" in the summer of 2006 discussing the role of African American athletes in professional sports in contemporary history. However, the connection did not hold on.

Fortunately, Gabriel Schechter, a research associate at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, responded my email request for a phone interview. The former Oregon Duck's specialty in baseball education program with the museum shared his insights of the environment in baseball at the time. Therefore, I am able to understand incidents that words in the newspapers otherwise may not delivered.

I plan to analyze my primary sources that were published in the same day; therefore, I would be able to compare the use of language in various publications and the attitude of that particular media outlet toward Robinson. The research will picture the overall image of the environment that Robinson faced as he made his debut in the Big League.


Here is a list of primary and secondary sources that I would use for this research project:

Primary Sources:

Berry, Abner W. "Fans Welcome Jackie In Dodger Debut." Daily Worker 12 Apr. 1947 (Knight Library; microfilm)

Daley, Arthur. "Play Ball!" New York times 15 Apr. 1947 (Knight Library; microfilm)

Daley, Arthur. "Opening Day At Ebbets Field." New York Times 16 Apr. 1947 (Knight Library; microfilm)

"Dodgers Sign Robinson." Daily Worker 11 Apr. 1947 (Knight library; microfilm)

Effrat, Louis. "Royals' Star Signs with Brooks Today." New York Times 11 Apr. 1947 (Knight Library; microfilm)

Mardo, Bill. "'Robinson's a Dodger,' The Guy Said" Daily Worker 11 Apr. 1947 (Knight library; microfilm)

Rodney, Lester. "About Jackie and the Cheers." Daily Worker 15 Apr. 1947 (Knight library; microfilm)

Rodney, Lester. "Reiser Stars as Three-Run Rally in 7th Routs Sain." Daily Worker 15 Apr. 1947 (Knight library; microfilm)

Rodney, Lester. "'We Want Leo,' 'We're for Jackie.'" Daily Worker 12 Apr. 1947 (Knight library; microfilm)

Schechter, Gabriel. Telephone interview

Smith, Wendell. "Jackie Just Shaken Up in Collision at First; Ready to Play." Pittsburgh Courier 12 Apr. 1947, national ed. (Knight library; microfilm)

Smith, Wendell. "Dodgers Have Drawn 95,000 Fans in Four Exhibition Contests." Pittsburgh Courier 19 Apr. 1947, naitonal ed. (Knight Library; microfilm)


Secondary Sources:

Aaron, Henry. "The Trailblazer." Time 14 June 1999.

Weisman, Jon. "A new era dawns - Tensions mounted for Robinson on historic day." Sports Illustrated 14 Apr. 2007.

Research Question

How media covered Jackie Robinson's debut in Major League Baseball?

Welcome to My Blog

This blog is a research project for my J387 Communication History in the School of Journalism and Communications at the University of Oregon. My research topic examines the relationship between the media and Jackie Robinson's debut in Major League Baseball. Robinson shattered the color barrier to become the first African American ball player to compete in a traditional American sport dominated by Caucasians.The occasion posted a significant challenge for American society and baseball in dealing with racial issues. His presence challenged the nation where racism and segregation were tolerable at the time to accept him as a player and as a person.

I choose this topic because the relationship between Robinson and the media is rarely discussed. The public perception about Robinson focuses on his debut in MLB due to his skin color. Loyal baseball fans may remember him as one of the best all-around players in baseball history. But his impact in baseball reaches beyond the sport itself. Robinson is an icon who unifies the blacks and the whites. As Robinson steps onto the field, #42 makes people to think about race, class, segregation, and other sensitive social issues that people have avoided to discuss publicly. I believe a blog provides an access for people to know more about the relationship between Robinson and the media in a public space.