Take Me Out To The Ball Game

On Saturday, April 15, Major League Baseball honored the legacy of Jackie Robinson and his impact on teams in ballparks across the league. “Who is number 42?” my Dad quizzed. “Which one?” I replied. This type of banter is normal for our dynamic, but on that day, in Nationals Park, the timing was great. I met my father outside the main gate after he was able to secure last-minute tickets. Growing up in a single-parent household, raised by my mother, I would often meet him outside Union Station before our weekend visits. These weekends would consist of us playing catch, going fishing and, of course, taking in a game or two. The impact of players such as Robinson, Bob Gibson and Ken Griffey Jr. has been enormous on young players who are just coming up in the league. At the same time, the impact of surrogate fathers in the community is just as immense. I remember when I was a young boy, a friend of mine lost his father and my dad stepped in and took him fishing. While I was possessive in my thinking, I knew then that my friend would never have his father to do that with and it eerily reminded me of a scene from “Boyz N The Hood,” the classic John Singleton film. To this day, my dad still participates in youth sports activities with my little brother and his friends. Being a positive role model is important to him because he did not have his dad at home growing up and had to become the man of the house at an early age in the Deep South, during segregation. Back to the game. The Nats fell 4-2. It was a good game that featured a couple of home runs, a few web gems and two great pitching performances. But it pales in comparison to the feeling of being at the park with the one who gave you your first mitt and passion for sports. All in all, it was a good day for celebration and reflection for such a momentous occasion.