Jackie Robinson would have been 93 on January 31st. He’s today’s Friday Face.
Jackie put up with a lot of bullshit in the Army, where they tried to court-martial him with trumped up charges after he refused an order to the back of a bus. He was eventually acquitted and given an honorable discharge.
Robinson shattered the color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947, a watershed moment in the Civil Rights movement.
In his 10 seasons, he appeared in six World Series games, including the Dodgers’ 1955 win.
He portrayed himself in “The Jackie Robinson Story.”
He played in 6 All-Star Games and was MLB Rookie of the Year in 1947 and MVP in 1949. He made the Hall of Fame in 1962. His number, 42, was retired from all major league teams.
He was the first black TV analyst in MLB. He helped establish the Freedom National Bank, an African-American-owned financial institution based in Harlem.
Robinson died of a heart attack at age 53 in 1972.
Jackie Robinson, Spingarn Medal winner and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, is today’s Friday Face. Donate to his foundation here.
Andy Murray brings new meaning to the words “Australian Open.”
Andrea Mantovani (right) of Palermo gets giggly when gripped by Giulio Migliaccio (pronounced “Giulio Migliaccio”) after scoring a goal in Palermo. Do you like 8?
James Short is tackled in a very personal way by Ludovico Nitoglia. I guess this is what they mean by a “cup match.”
Nicolas Lodeiro celebrates during a match in Alkmaar, Netherlands. Wouldn’t you like to go to his Netherlands?
Robin van Persie gets a hug from Alex Chamberlain after scoring in London. What’s that you say? You’d like to see Persie shirtless? Oh, okay. Here ya go.
The Venezuelan team prepares for action… mmm hmm.
Sometimes there are things you’d rather do than play basketball. Austin Rivers of the Duke Blue Devils.
This has been Chexy’s Sports Roundup, Open Australian edition.
Chris Tremlett of England caught in some type of bowling game in Dubai. This is how I look when I attempt sports, minus the muscles and overall fitness, of course.
Alexis Sanchez and Daniel Alves are on their knees for each other after a goal in Barcelona. One of them needs to stand up.
Bastian Schweinsteiger of Muenchen at a “friendly” match. Were you muenchen on schweinsteiger this weekend?
Hot dad Shuan Derry of Queens Park Rangers, in my favorite sports uniform, gets flagged after some type of foul against Yohan Cabaye, bottom, right.
Thierry Henry is 12. His ass is a 10. Gesture meaning for you to decide.
Holger Glanddorf (pronounced “Holger Glanddorf”) models the latest in off-the-shoulder sweats at a training session in Serbia.
Gonzalo Canale shows his flexibility at a Heineken Cup match.
This has been Chexy’s Sports Roundup, He Must Have an Enormous Schweinsteiger edition.
Tiger Woods’ ex tore down this $12-million mansion in order to rebuild on the property. I get it.
There are excesses we can all do without, but when one has the resources to effectively follow every whim and desire, it’s understandable why she’d want to tear down a reasonable house to ensure that every fixture and outlet is exactly where she wants them. No one wants a room with inconvenient outlets, let alone 9,000 square feet of rooms with them. Extension cords and power strips are so inelegant.
We all spend money on things we can do without. I’m a collector and single father of an imaginary daughter, so I spend money on chatchka nonsense made possible by disposable income. I like yellow pottery, so I buy it. Some people like bigger houses, so they tear down perfectly good ones. It’s all relative.
These Darfur refugees are not going for pedicures, pre-booking seats at the ArcLight or buying Caramel Brulée Frappucinos at Starbucks. Neither am I… I do have my own personal set of values.
How can I cluck my tongue at Elin Nordegren for laying waste to a $12-million house, while I throw out some minimally expired yogurt? If I had hit the cheating spouse super lotto, would I not be shopping for a larger home for my pottery collection?
Yes, I would. But I think I’d find an existing house that I liked, and just live in it. Unless, of course, the outlets were badly placed.
