(670 The Score) Seventy-four years after the legendary Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in MLB, Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward is among those in the league looking to carry the torch of making meaningful change.
Heyward is an active member of the Players Alliance, a nonprofit founded by current and former MLB players that aims to invest in Black communities and works to promote Black participation in the game at all levels. Before the Cubs hosted the Braves on Friday afternoon, Heyward took a moment to reflect on the legacy of the late Robinson, who debuted for the Dodgers on April 15, 1947. The Cubs were celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on Friday after having Thursday off.
"For Jackie to do what he did, it was amazing what he could do – containing his character and love for the game putting them above himself," Heyward said. "This was for people like myself and teammates in the clubhouse. He did that for sure, how many people it would affect. He did not know that there would be a Players Alliance here today trying to rally troops and increase awareness."
Heyward is one of more than 100 MLB players connected with The Players Alliance who's donating one day's pay to the organization this week. That's around $140,000 in Heyward's case.
"The things that Jackie did in his time are still here today without knowing what it would look like this," Heyward said of Robinson's impact. "We learned from him that anybody in this game that looks like me, it will be harder. There will be disconnects, a real need for more attention to detail and more conversations. Even to this day, it feels like the first generation because conversations we are having are not the ones we have at home or in our communities. This is a totally different environment.
"That being said, we have come this far. Jackie has given us a lot of hope. I am able to enjoy my teammates and they can enjoy me. We can battle together and compete while pulling for each other."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
