My Captain's Log

Navigating The Stormy Waters Of Fatherhood

Menu
  • About Me
  • About The Captain
  • Contact The Captain
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recent Posts
Menu

42

Posted on April 15, 2012 by captaincreed

Image

Captain’s Log. Daddy Chronicles.  Diaper Date 1673.  April 15th is a pretty big day.  Yes, there is that whole tax thing, but there is a pretty big piece of American history that is commemorated today.  Jackie Robinson Day.  65 years ago today Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.  He was not the first black professional baseball player (many sources point to a catcher, Moses Fleetwood Walker, in the late 1800’s as being the first black “Major League” player; Bud Fowler is considered the original pioneer for professional baseball).  However, after the unwritten gentleman’s agreement became common practice (team owners would agree not to field a team if the opposing team had a player of color on the field), all players of color were pushed out of the league and the country’s national pastime became as segregated as the country.

For about 50 years baseball had a split personality, same game, played in two separate worlds.  Then in 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.  Larry Doby followed a mere 11 weeks later.  The two pioneers played with the weight of hope on their shoulders – uniting a game and a country.  The integration of the game would foreshadow the sweeping change the country would experience in the decades to come.  Before Martin, Rosa, and Malcolm there were Jackie, Larry, and Hank.

So what does this have to do with fatherhood?

Well, that is pretty simple.  There are the obvious lessons in what Jackie and Larry both endured.  Perseverance. Pride.  Self-control.  There is a quote from Robinson that sums it all up to me: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

This day is about more than baseball.  And don’t let anyone fool you, it is not about one race or the other.  It is about having the courage to make an impact regardless of how people label you.

So enjoy Jackie Robinson day.  Remember the pioneer.  Remember how far we have come and how far we still can go.  Remember the impact that Jackie and Larry both had, and seek out a way to make your own. And if you can, enjoy a game – it is a pretty cool thing to see all players wearing the same number.  The only number to be retired by every team in Major League Baseball (with the exception of Mariano Rivera who was grandfathered in).  The number 42.

Captain Out.

Don’t forget the usual…

If you enjoyed this post, or any others, please share the Captain with a friend or friends!

Vote for the Captain on Babble (The Captain REALLY needs your votes…lol. Don’t forget to nominate other good daddy blogs!)

Like the Captain on Facebook

Follow the Captain on The Twitter @acjlist

Be sure to check us out on Life of Dad


2 thoughts on “42”

  1. Jeremy Baker says:
    April 19, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Totally stealing that Jackie Robinson quote for my blog today!

    Reply
    1. poopdeckcapt says:
      April 19, 2012 at 9:10 pm

      It is a good one to refer to every day. Makes you feel as important yet insignificant as you need to be. Funny how you have to find that balance.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Do you “Like” The Captain?

Do you “Like” The Captain?

My audition for the new Most Interesting Man in the World. Actually, it's just me sitting by the fire waiting for the power to come back.

A photo posted by Creed (@captain_creed) on Apr 4, 2016 at 11:47am PDT

Recent Posts

  • 5 Ways Comics Improve Reading
  • Star Wars Day – 9 Ways to Celebrate
  • Watch Goblet of Fire with Me

Archives

  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
I'm speaking at Dad 2.0 summit!
© 2020 My Captain's Log | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme