Royal Purple

Issue date: 10/15/08 Section: Opinion

LaBarbera [Click to enlarge]

The 1972 World Series went seven games. Six of those games were decided by one run or less. It was an exciting series. Perhaps the most significant event of the '72 Series happened before game two, 36 years ago today. Jackie Robinson threw out the ceremonial first pitch. It was October 15, 1972.

One thing is certain, people were watching the '72 Series. It averaged a 58 share. That means 58 percent of the televisions that were turned on at the time, were tuned in to the World Series. How does that stack up to other television events? The 2008 Super Bowl was the most watched ever. At its highest point in the fourth quarter it got to a 47.8 share. That's right, the highest rated Super Bowl ever had a smaller share than the 1972 World Series.

That's important, because Jackie Robinson was making a statement. He was celebrating the 25th anniversary (remember this is 1972) of being the first African-American to play in the previously white major league baseball. His first game was April 15, 1947 when he stepped onto the field as a Brooklyn Dodger.

Sixty-one years later we can all learn something from Jackie Robinson. Robinson was humiliated, ridiculed and criticized because he was black. Somehow he was able to look past these insults and withstand public scrutiny. He became a leader, an inspiration and a role model for millions of young people. He made the most of his time on Earth. He was unwavering in his perseverance in following what he believed in.

Jackie Robinson died of a heart attack on October 24, 1972, just nine days after throwing out the first pitch in game two of the 1972 World Series.

That lesson should be invaluable. Pay little attention to what others think. Follow your dream and dig deep for what you believe in. Take a stand. Understand that getting your feelings hurt is a part of life. Don't cry to mom, professor, adviser or anyone else because somebody offended you. Turn every experience in life into a lesson. You are young. You can be a pioneer. You can make it happen. You have to do just one thing: believe in yourself. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote these words more than a century before Jackie Robinson threw out the first pitch, "When duty whispers low, thou must, the youth replies, I can!"

Sure the 1972 World Series was great, but the lesson we can all take away from it is even greater. By the way, the Oakland A's beat the Cincinnati Reds four games to three to become world champions.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools