Hear me out first...

I know that I'm going to sound blasphemous, but hear me out. As I watched the Mariners stink again until it was too late, I was frustrated by what I saw. I totally understand what yesterday was.

I have read many books on Jackie Robinson and know the history of what he went through. I find Jackie to be a role model that I can look to live my life like. This is the man that we should proud of also:

I think the things that Jackie did as a player were beyond awesome. The strength and courage he had to accept what was done to him on and off the field and continue to be the bigger man is beyond comprehension. I think that the trials that Jackie went through are lost on many people in all walks of life nowadays. I'm talking to you, you coward Dodger fans that beat a man into a coma. Jackie would not be proud to have you as fans of his team.

OK here comes the part people won't like. I remember back on April 15, 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. decided he would change to #42 for a day to honor Jackie. I thought the idea was outstanding for the 50th anniversary of Jackie coming into the league. Also on that day, commissioner Bud Selig pronounced that all teams would immediately retire #42. As a caveat, all players that were currently wearing the number could continue to wear it and when all those players retired, no one would ever wear it again. The only current player to still wear 42 would be Mariano Rivera. Once Mo's gone, that's it for the number. Why is it that for the last few years the league has decided to diminish the meaning, history, and honor of #42? I feel like trotting all players and coaches out in 42's kind of takes away from the specialness of the number.

While it is awesome that MLB wants to make sure that kids and adults don't forget what Jack Roosevelt Robinson went through in 1947 to change the history of the game for the better, I don't think the overuse of his number every year is the right thing to do. I like the idea of trying to do more education at ballparks the day to help people know about Jackie's life. I think that kids should have to read his autobiography "I Never Had It Made" or "Opening Day" in school to educate them on what racism and prejudice is.

I hold great respect to players like Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, Willard Brown, Hank Thompson, Sam Jethroe, Minnie Minoso, Bob Trice, Gene Baker, Ernie Banks, Curt Roberts, Tom Alston, Nino Escalera, Carlos Paula, Elston Howard, John Kennedy, Ozzie Virgil, and Pumpsie Green. They were all the first to erase the color barriers of their respective teams. I find it abysmal that it took 12 years to fully integrate the major leagues. All of these great men had the courage to stand up to the hate that they were given in their respective cities and be the better men. I hope that everyone will remember the courage and hearts of Jackie, and all the other first African-Americans who helped bring the game of baseball to what it is today.