Monday was Jackie Robinson Day around Major League Baseball as every player took the field wearing number 42. Down on the farm, Robinson was also honored by minor leaguers including Bowie Baysox outfielder Xavier Avery, who donned the Hall of Famer’s number 66 years after he broke the color barrier.
“It kind of spooked me a little bit,” Avery said according to the Baysox. “After seeing the movie last night and with the celebration going on, stepping on the field I got a little bit nervous. I felt like he was looking down on me from heaven and I didn’t want to let him down.”
If you haven’t had a chance to see 42 yet, please stop what you’re doing and go. It’s an amazing film that will share Robinson’s story for a whole new generation of baseball fans.
Now if Avery could only hit like Robinson…or run like Robinson…or ANYTHING like Robinson. He would be seeing less of Bowie and more of Spy here in B’more.
Maybe Spy would invite us up for some steamed crabs or something. We could play in his neighbor’s sandbox if nothing else.