Is this Wrong?

[NJTank]

That is true about Bill Veeck, he was not allowed to buy the Phillies in 1941 because he planned to sign Negro Leaguers.

As for selling #42 merchandise I say MLB should donate the profits to the development of baseball programs in the inner city with the money made from it.

[So_Fla]

The 50 year anniversary was enough. Where is the Larry Doby Tribute Day? Why not a Roberto Clemente Day too?

I thinks doby should be honored as well.

roberto clemente day is Sept 5th

I meant retiring #14 and #21 across MLB.

I think that they would have a tough time retiring #14 in Cincinnati, Chicago (Cubs), Minnesota, N.Y. (Mets), St. Louis and Philadelphia.

[powersurge]

The 50 year anniversary was enough. Where is the Larry Doby Tribute Day? Why not a Roberto Clemente Day too?

I thinks doby should be honored as well.

roberto clemente day is Sept 5th

I meant retiring #14 and #21 across MLB.

I think that they would have a tough time retiring #14 in Cincinnati, Chicago (Cubs), Minnesota, N.Y. (Mets), St. Louis and Philadelphia.

I've heard some very compelling arguments in the past favoring a mass retirement of Clemente's #21. That being said, I still don't think what he did as a player and as a person (although quite magnanimous) supercedes or even comes close to the importance and relevance of what Jackie Robinson did. I'll even go as far as to say that if it weren't for Jackie Robinson, Clemente probably wouldn't even have a chance to rise to fame as a ball player.

[charger77]

Feel free to flame but this is an honest question. Why is it Jackie Robinson day and not Branch Rickey day? #42 didn't really "do" anything to break the color barrier. Someone had to choose him, sign him and insert him into the lineup, no? Wasn't that the person who really broke the color barrier?

Do NOT misunderstand me. What Mr Robinson went through when entering the majors was certainly not something I would wish upon anyone. I just don't understand why Mr Rickey does not get his due when this topic, or that of Mr Clemente, arises.

Because he is white.

[CubsFanBudMan]

At the Cubs game yesterday, there was a guy with a player-name T-shirt that had "LEE 42" on it. That seems a bit much to me. Plus, it was navy. Ugh. Selling 42 with a name seems wrong, too.

I think once MLB put these for sale their motives for the whole decision come into question -- unless every penny goes to charity. That's unfortunate. Doubt Ken Griffey imagined his simple request to honor one of his heroes would turn into a marketing machine for MLB to sell navy "LEE 42" T-shirts.

[winters in buffalo]

I don't see a problem with it at all.

Robinson didn't play pro ball to break the color barrier, he didn't do it for charity, he didn't do it to be an ambassador of goodwill.

He played baseball to make money.

He was good at it, and someone was willing to pay him to do it, regardless of the barriers that were preventing him from doing so.

Admire Robinson for what you will... I'll admire him for overcoming obstacles to get paid to do what he loved.

In the spirit of Jackie Robinson, the capitalist, I say sell as many as you can.

[charger77]

If a picture of Jesus can be sold, a Robinson jersey can too.

[powersurge]

If a picture of Jesus can be sold, a Robinson jersey can too.

"You sayin' Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?"

(couldn't help myself)

[charger77]

If a picture of Jesus can be sold, a Robinson jersey can too.

"You sayin' Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?"

(couldn't help myself)

On a good day.

[AndrewPF]

Only a Dodgers one isn't bull

[Nervous One]

Here's a Jackie Robinson Giants' jersey...that's like having a Joe DiMaggio Red Sox jersey, or Troy Aikman Redskins jersey.

Here's two teams that didn't even exist when they retired the number, so they've never had a 42. What better way to pay tribute than to buy a Jackie Robinson Devil Rays' jersey.

Or the Jackie Robinson tribute Mariano Rivera jersey.

I love that people are wearing 42 for him, but selling these jerseys is just stupid.

True to all degrees out there. Some things should NEVER be made.

[swilson160]

If a picture of Jesus can be sold, a Robinson jersey can too.

Why not combine the two?

or

Of course, the most appropriate team isn't a baseball team.

[OnWis97]

The 50 year anniversary was enough. Where is the Larry Doby Tribute Day? Why not a Roberto Clemente Day too?

I thinks doby should be honored as well.

roberto clemente day is Sept 5th

I meant retiring #14 and #21 across MLB.

I think that they would have a tough time retiring #14 in Cincinnati, Chicago (Cubs), Minnesota, N.Y. (Mets), St. Louis and Philadelphia.

I've heard some very compelling arguments in the past favoring a mass retirement of Clemente's #21. That being said, I still don't think what he did as a player and as a person (although quite magnanimous) supercedes or even comes close to the importance and relevance of what Jackie Robinson did. I'll even go as far as to say that if it weren't for Jackie Robinson, Clemente probably wouldn't even have a chance to rise to fame as a ball player.

Clemente was not the first Puerto Rican to play MLB so he did not break any true barriers there--he was just the first superstar. I actually am one chapter away from finishing a Clemente biography. And he did have to go through his share of BS, but not the death threats, etc. that Robinson went through. The minority players, had to stay in different quarters during Florida spring training in the early part of his career and could not eat at most of the restaurants. It was tough for him because this stuff did not really occur in P.R. However, I think to retire his number league-wide could conceivably open the flood-gates for a lot of others that endured what he did.

[powersurge]

The 50 year anniversary was enough. Where is the Larry Doby Tribute Day? Why not a Roberto Clemente Day too?

I thinks doby should be honored as well.

roberto clemente day is Sept 5th

I meant retiring #14 and #21 across MLB.

I think that they would have a tough time retiring #14 in Cincinnati, Chicago (Cubs), Minnesota, N.Y. (Mets), St. Louis and Philadelphia.

I've heard some very compelling arguments in the past favoring a mass retirement of Clemente's #21. That being said, I still don't think what he did as a player and as a person (although quite magnanimous) supercedes or even comes close to the importance and relevance of what Jackie Robinson did. I'll even go as far as to say that if it weren't for Jackie Robinson, Clemente probably wouldn't even have a chance to rise to fame as a ball player.

Clemente was not the first Puerto Rican to play MLB so he did not break any true barriers there--he was just the first superstar. I actually am one chapter away from finishing a Clemente biography. And he did have to go through his share of BS, but not the death threats, etc. that Robinson went through. The minority players, had to stay in different quarters during Florida spring training in the early part of his career and could not eat at most of the restaurants. It was tough for him because this stuff did not really occur in P.R. However, I think to retire his number league-wide could conceivably open the flood-gates for a lot of others that endured what he did.

I still will say that these guys are all better man then I could ever be. The very first racial slur or negative comment that would be thrown at me would probably make me instantly retaliate. These guys really are heroes in a sense.