New Book Release: True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson by Kostya Kennedy

True is a probing, richly-detailed, unique biography of Jackie Robinson, one of baseball's―and America's―most significant figures.

For players, fans, managers, and executives, Jackie Robinson remains baseball’s singular figure, the person who most profoundly extended, and continues to extend, the reach of the game. Beyond Ruth. Beyond Clemente. Beyond Aaron. Beyond the heroes of today. Now, a half-century since Robinson’s death, letters come to his widow, Rachel, by the score. But Robinson’s impact extended far beyond baseball: he opened the door for Black Americans to participate in other sports, and was a national figure who spoke and wrote eloquently about inequality.

True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson by Kostya Kennedy is an unconventional biography, focusing on four transformative years in Robinson's athletic and public life: 1946, his first year playing in the essentially all-white minor leagues for the Montreal Royals; 1949, when he won the Most Valuable Player Award in his third season as a Brooklyn Dodger; 1956, his final season in major league baseball, when he played valiantly despite his increasing health struggles; and 1972, the year of his untimely death. Through it all, Robinson remained true to the effort and the mission, true to his convictions and contradictions.

Kennedy examines each of these years through details not reported in previous biographies, bringing them to life in vivid prose and through interviews with fans and players who witnessed his impact, as well as with Robinson's surviving family. These four crucial years offer a unique vision of Robinson as a player, a father and husband, and a civil rights hero―a new window on a complex man, tied to the 50th anniversary of his passing and the 75th anniversary of his professional baseball debut.

CHECK OUT TRUE:The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson on Amazon

Nike honoring Jackie Robinson with special edition sneaker

Nike is honoring the late Jackie Robinson with a special shoe. The sneaker is a special version of Ken Griffey Jr.'s signature sneaker.

Griffey Jr.'s sneaker, the Air Griffey Max 1, has a No. 24 on the ankle strap. The Robinson version has a No. 42 instead of Griffey Jr.'s number.

The sneaker will also have one of Robinson's iconic quotes written on it, "There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free."

No word yet on when the sneaker will be available, but a release date could be expected soon. Jackie Robinson Day is on April 15 so some are noting that would be an appropriate day to announce the release date, or make them available for purchase.

[SOURCE: CBS SPORTS]

Today, April 15 is Jackie Robinson Day!

Today is Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Major League Baseball and the Jackie Robinson Foundation will hold their annual celebration on social media platforms and online by streaming content related to Jackie Robinson.

Since 2009, players, managers and coaches we are the number 42 on the back of their jerseys to mark the day.

Robinson is celebrated on this day because April 15th marks the day when the color barrier was broken in Major League baseball when Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

This year is the 73rd anniversary dating back to 1947.

Number of African American baseball players in MLB increases

Every year about this time we are normally discussing yet another decline in the number of African American players in Major League Baseball, but on this Jackie Robinson Day there is some good news on this front. George L. Cook III African American Reports.

It’s certainly not worth celebrating, but Major League Baseball has at least made back the loss of African American players that a year ago resulted in a historic low.

The African-American population increased to 7.8%, up from 7.1% a year ago, on Major League Baseball’s opening-day rosters and disabled lists, according to USA TODAY Sports' annual study.

It may not look like a significant increase, but it happens to be baseball’s largest growth since 2007-2008.

There are 68 African Americans on rosters, six more than a year ago, when baseball had its lowest percentage of black players since 1958.

Yet, despite the modest uptick, nearly one-third of all teams don’t have more than one African-American on their 25-man roster or DL.

“We’re starting to see some progress,’’ MLB executive vice president Tony Reagins says, “but is there a lot of work to be done? Absolutely.

“Our goal is to get our numbers back to 19% and 20%. That’s a lofty goal. But this isn’t a one-time effort. We are fully committed to this.’’

[SOURCE: USATODAY]

Dodgers unveil statue of Jackie Robinson at Dodger Stadium

The Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled a Jackie Robinson Statue at the Left Field Reserve Plaza the first in Dodger Stadium history on the 70th anniversary of Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier on April 15, 1947 prior to a Major League baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, April 15, 2017 in Los Angeles. Take a look at a few photos of that statue below.

The annual conversation on the decreasing number of African Americans in Major League Baseball

Hi all, this George Cook of African American Reports. Baseball season has started and it's time for that annual conversation about the lack of black kids playing baseball and the decrease of black players in the Majors. Check out my thoughts below.