After apology for racism, Philly among many Jackie Robinson tributes
By ERRIN HAINES WHACK AND JOE RESNICK
ASSOCIATED PRESS – updated Saturday, April 16, 2016 - 12:32pm
... When Robinson's Brooklyn Dodgers played the Philadelphia Phillies in 1947, he was told to "go back to the cotton fields" by the Phillies' manager, refused service at a local hotel and taunted by players with racial slurs when he came to bat. On Friday, Philadelphia's city council publicly acknowledged the incident as a dark chapter in the city's history.
"He faced tremendous racism in our city," Councilwoman Helen Gym said. "It was something he never forgot ... but neither should we."
April 15 is recognized nationally as Jackie Robinson Day, and ballparks around the country are also celebrating the 69th anniversary of the day he broke the league's color barrier in 1947. Robinson played for the Dodgers until 1956.
All MLB players, managers, coaches and umpires wore his No. 42 for games. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, at Yankee Stadium for the Seattle-New York game, said he was in his office earlier in the day and saw Colorado playing the Cubs on television, with everyone wearing the same number ...
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