Show A J j- j J LA Dodgers reflect on Jackie Robinson Steve Henson Los Angeles Times Juan Pierres Pierre's introduction to Jackie Robinsons Robinson's legacy came the way many kids learn leam about a historical figure gure a third-grade third history report report The story of the man who broke baseballs baseball's color barrier in 1947 captured the imagination of the Louisiana schoolchild and Pierre has tried to emulate Robinson Visitors to Pierres Pierre's Florida home cant can't help but notice the famous portrait of Robinson stealing home on the foyer wall Visitors to Dodger Stadium cant can't help but notice that Pierre wears his socks high in the tradition of Robinson and others of his era On Sunday Pierre and his teammates will wear No 42 to honor the anniversary of Robinsons Robinson's first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers It will be a real special thing a real special day Pierre said Its about appreciating the sacrifices he lie made to make the game what it is today I can only imagine how bad it must have been when people didn't want you to play Pierre and Marl Marlon l K n nr r Anderson are the only black players on the Dodgers' Dodgers active roster although rookie outfielder Matt Kemp is on the disabled list Catcher Russell Martins Martin's father is African Canadian and his great-grandparents great migrated from the USI USI US U.S. I grew up in a tolerant city Montreal and I didn't grow up in the era when racism was as big an issue as it was back in the day Martin said My father did and hes he's talked about it It took a special person to be the first black in the major leagues Its It's amazing how one person could affect so many people to this day ay When outfielder Milton Bradley labeled Jeff Kent Kenta a racist two years ago after Kent privately called him out for not hustling on the base paths other black people who knew Kent such as Dusty Baker refuted the charge Kent said he will wear Robinsons Robinson's No 42 proudly adding that spending the thelast thelast thelast last 16 years in major league dugouts and clubhouses has made him a more tolerant person and given him an appreciation for racial diversity Absolutely Ive I've gained more respect for other cultures than if Id I'd just taken another job out of college he said As a baseball player Ive I've played with Koreans Japanese Mexicans other Latinos blacks and whites Playing with all of them you learn to appreciate their cultures a attitudes and personalities and you educate yourself through the game That Tha S been pretty cool 1 Although Kent doesn pretend to be a ba baseball eba historian he said it will b be humbling to wear No 42 To say its it's special because Im I'm wearing th same number playing th the the same position and wearing the same uniform as Jackie Jacki Robinson absolutely not he said There is no noway no noway way I could come close t ta tv matching what hes he's done I admire him because he was was gritty a grinder a fighter fighte with tremendous courage Although Pierre was wasp was batting only he wasn wasn't i it t happy about Manager Manag II Grady Littles Little's decision ta to keep him out of the starting lineup for the first time Pierre who entered the the game defensively in the eighth inning and had an infield single has played in iii ri consecutive games 5 tI Im a guy who can be 0 Q for 25 and feel like today today the day he said But Ive I've got nobody to blame but bu myself Hopefully nobody is hitting the panic switch Little realized his decision wouldn't be popular with Pierre The man just needs a li break he said Its one one of those deals where yo you might hate me right now but you'll love me tomorrow I |