Robinsons honored at 92nd All-Star Game

July 20th, 2022

LOS ANGELES -- A life lived has to be pretty special in order for a stadium full of people to wish you a happy birthday.

For Rachel Robinson, the widow of the first Black player in the Major Leagues who has spent nearly half a century putting young minority students through college with the Jackie Robinson Foundation, that type of celebration is more than fitting.

On Tuesday night, as part of the opening ceremony for the 92nd annual All-Star Game, Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts gathered the entirety of the American League and National League All-Star teams in front of home plate and took the microphone to address a sold-out crowd of 52,518 at Dodger Stadium, as well as the millions of people watching at home.

"I know this is the 2022 All-Star Game, but today is a special day," Betts said to his home crowd. "It's Miss Rachel Robinson's 100th birthday. So on the count of three, I want everybody in here to say, 'Happy birthday, Rachel.'"

A rousing chorus of baseball fans happily obliged. With the Dodgers hosting the All-Star Game for the first time in 42 years, special attention was paid to honoring the lives and legacies of the couple that perhaps most helped to change the landscape of the game for the better.

Moments earlier, Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington took the field wearing a Brooklyn Dodgers No. 42 uniform to pay tribute to Jackie Robinson, who broke the color barrier at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947.

As a video tribute played on the center-field scoreboards, Washington spoke about how Jackie's unique combination of talent and character made him both a larger-than-life figure and the ultimate example.

"He said that life is not a spectator sport, and he lived that motto to the fullest," Washington said. "Whether it was charging down the baselines or standing tall for opportunity and justice, No. 42 blazed a trail that would light the way for people of every walk of life and every color -- and to this very day -- every generation. That inspiration -- that profound impact -- looms just as large today as it did 75 years ago."

After the first inning, Rachel received her own video tribute, which was voiced by Academy Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer. Spencer detailed how, after Jackie died in 1972, Rachel took charge of the Jackie Robinson Development Corporation, which built more than 1,300 affordable housing units for people of moderate and low incomes, as well as how the foundation has provided scholarships to more than 1,400 college students.

"His trial was her trial. His pain was her pain. In 1948, Jackie called her, 'The most important and helpful and encouraging person I've ever known in my life,'" Spencer said. "When Rachel was asked about Jack's legacy, she recalled his words that are etched into his statue, 'A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.' She's a reminder of how far we have traveled and how far we have yet to go. She defines the power of 'we.' We are better because of Rachel Robinson."

Separately, former President Bill Clinton, who was on the field at Shea Stadium in New York with Rachel Robinson when Jackie¡¯s No. 42 was retired in 1997, sent along a video message wishing her a happy 100th.

¡°Over the course of your remarkable life, you've been a constant source of inspiration,¡± Clinton said. ¡°Not just in carrying on Jackie's legacy, but continuing to open doors of opportunities for new generations through your charitable work. I'll never forget standing with you on the 50th anniversary of Jackie's breaking the color barrier, and I'm grateful for the many kindnesses you've given me since.¡±

The Robinsons weren't the only ones who earned recognition before and during the game. Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, who appeared in six consecutive All-Star Games, won a World Series ring and captured the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year Award in 1981, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to an L.A. faithful that clearly remembered how "Fernandomania" swept the sport four decades ago.

Blue Jays All-Star Alejandro Kirk, the first Mexican-born catcher to be selected to the Midsummer Classic, caught his countryman's pitch. Meanwhile, Jaime Jarr¨ªn, the Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster who will be retiring at the end of this season -- his 64th in the booth -- received an acknowledgement at the end of the fourth inning.

Another pair of celebrities took the field at Dodger Stadium during the star-studded festivities. Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning singer, songwriter and actor Ben Platt gave a rousing performance of the national anthem. And actor Miles Teller, who starred in the No. 1 film of the year "Top Gun: Maverick," joined the four fighter jet pilots from the F-22 Combined Test Force out of Edwards Air Force Base in California on the field in the sixth inning, after they took part in the traditional flyover during the anthem.

Also of note, Boys & Girls Clubs of America "Youth of the Year" Brianna (from Bristol, Conn.) delivered the game's first ball to the mound shortly after Betts led Rachel's birthday celebration.

That moment is what he felt most proud to be a part of during a big night for the franchise he represents, as they honored one of the game's greats on one of the sport's biggest stages.

"[It was] very special. Being able to say happy birthday personally is very special," Betts said. "I'm just glad everybody joined in."

seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com