Kent Conrad: “some of the most pivotal events in U.S. history that have helped eliminate the barriers between white and black…”

“some of the most pivotal events in U.S. history that have helped eliminate the barriers between white and black Americans have been simple acts that occurred in very common, everyday settings; on a bus, in a diner, and in a school. Today marks the 50th anniversary of one of those events, and it also occurred in a common and unlikely setting--at a baseball game. On April 15, 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers debuted their new infielder, Jackie Robinson, in a game against the Boston Braves. And by his very presence on that field, American society was changed forever. Until that day, professional baseball had been segregated for over 50 years, and no African-American in the 20th century had worn a major league uniform. Segregation had denied many fine black players from competing side by side with their white counterparts. It was the dream of many Negro League stars like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Cool Papa Bell to take the field in a major league park and have the chance to claim their rightful place in the record books alongside Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. They knew they were good enough, and so did many white baseball executives who saw them play. But until Jackie Robinson, black Americans were kept out of the majors and many of these great players never got the chance to play there. In 1947, Dodgers' manager Branch Rickey ignored the color line and gave Jackie Robinson a chance to play.”