42

AG/DC
Apr 16 2008 02:37 PM

Let's be fair. If everybody's making the gesture to pull Jackie Robinson's number out of mothballs and wear it, then it isn't much of a gesture, is it? It's looking like it'll be one of those observations that'll be more notable in it's lack.

So, here's a proposal. Invite each team to vote for one guy to take the number each year on Robinson Day --- whoever best fits the Robinsonian virtues the league has been spouting the last few days (courage, goodness, alacrity, cleanliness, and um, rectitude).

Seriously though, one guy wears it: and it'll be a big deal when he comes out of the dugout that day and folks figure out who this year's honoree is. Once a guy wears it, he can't wear it again. Ususally it might be a man of color, but not always. And maybe, f you're in the league for 18 years and haven't had the honor, it'll be a minor embarrassment, but you'll say something stately, like, "Well, I've had some wonderful teammates that I've been proud to support in giving them the honor, and I wouldn't take it away from any of them. It certainly dimiinishes in no way my commitment to the legacy of Jackie Robinson and the values he stood for."

Any team with an active 42 (are there any besides the Yankees) would put off participation in this program until the current 42 is retired.

* * *

Regarding the number flip, wouldn't it be cool if Rachel Robinson not only got to do the flip, but she was escorted by Larry Elliot, Ron Taylor, Chuck Taylor, Hank Webb, Ron Hodges, Tom Hall, Roger McDowell, Butch Huskey, and Mo Vaughn (assuming they all yet live)?

TheOldMole
Apr 16 2008 03:51 PM

Yeah, the 42 thing is a gimmick, and you could maybe make a better gimmick. But as Keith pointed out, 10 years ago many baseball players, including African-American players, barely knew who Jackie Robinson was. Now he's remembered again by ballplayers, because of these gimmicks.

Willets Point
Apr 16 2008 03:56 PM

I liked seeing every player on the field in 42. It's a nice gimmick.

metsmarathon
Apr 16 2008 04:17 PM

i liked everyone in 42, myself, but edgy's idea up there is super. he should have a blog or something.

G-Fafif
Apr 16 2008 05:05 PM

I thought I would dislike the onslaught of 42s, but up close it actually worked. The "one guy" thing was supposed to be the way each team was to go last year, but then it took off. Nice to know there was some enthusiasm among the players. We've come a long way since Vince Coleman.

That said, I wouldn't mind variations on the theme. And yes, a little ex-Met 42 action would be welcome. As the evening progressed, I thought I saw Mo Vaughn, Butch Huskey Ron Taylor and Roger McDowell out there. Seriously.

AG/DC
Apr 16 2008 05:25 PM

I'm not knocking shat happened last night; I'm just trying to think sustainably. Last night sort of plays all the cards at once. Where do we go from there?

There are a lot of nice gestures that, once they became mandatory, folks came to do without thinking --- hand-over-the-heart for the pledge, doffing the cap in church, saying G'bless you --- and they're mandatoriness robs the gesture of any genuine human growth. Either you do it without thinking or feely unfairly coersed.

I want a similar gesture, but in a way that asks folks to stop and think every year.

metsguyinmichigan
Apr 16 2008 06:23 PM

I was surprised to hear that the statue in the rotunda won't be of Robinson, but will be a giant No. 42. Seems kinda goofy to me.

MFS62
Apr 16 2008 06:48 PM

Shouldn't all the Mets players on the roster last night be added to #42 on the Mets By The Numbers site?
And, should they be there with an asterisk? (and explanation)

Later

seawolf17
Apr 16 2008 07:19 PM

metsguyinmichigan wrote:
I was surprised to hear that the statue in the rotunda won't be of Robinson, but will be a giant No. 42. Seems kinda goofy to me.

Seriously. That looked really odd on the "flythrough" they showed. The guy has so many iconic images... you couldn't commission one good sculpture?

themetfairy
Apr 16 2008 07:24 PM

Commissions cost good money. Numerals are cheap.

Willets Point
Apr 16 2008 07:28 PM

Douglas Adams would love this thread.

Rockin' Doc
Apr 16 2008 07:29 PM

seawolf17 wrote:
="metsguyinmichigan"]I was surprised to hear that the statue in the rotunda won't be of Robinson, but will be a giant No. 42. Seems kinda goofy to me.

Seriously. That looked really odd on the "flythrough" they showed. The guy has so many iconic images... you couldn't commission one good sculpture?

They are really putting a "42" sculpture in the new stadium? Damn, I thought metsguy was making a joke. Sounds pretty lame to me.

If the Mets are so fired up to honor Jackie Robinson, they should at least honor the man, not the number.

Triple Dee
Apr 16 2008 07:39 PM

Don't worry -- when I buy the Mets in 10 years, I'll replace Jackie Robinson's statue with one of Ed Kranepool.

Fman99
Apr 16 2008 07:43 PM

metsguyinmichigan wrote:
I was surprised to hear that the statue in the rotunda won't be of Robinson, but will be a giant No. 42. Seems kinda goofy to me.

I heard the statue would be of Wilpon pooping on a replica of the old Polo Grounds.

What, no love for the ol' Giants?

Rockin' Doc
Apr 16 2008 07:44 PM

DDD - "Don't worry -- when I buy the Mets in 10 years, I'll replace Jackie Robinson's statue with one of Ed Kranepool."

Well just be sure to honor him in some abstract way. Maybe a statue of a large bird in a wading pool. You could even make money off of it if you made it a wishing well and coaxed patrons into throwing coins in it.

Rockin' Doc
Apr 16 2008 07:53 PM

The Kranepool Edstuary

SteveJRogers
Apr 16 2008 08:22 PM

Does sound like they are taking from Turner Field's play book with it though. Turner has "monuments" of their retired numbers along the walkway around the stadium.
[url]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/565085672_de9fc35619.jpg?v=0[/url]

There are also statues for the players as well though (Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Dale Murphy, Warren Spahn and Phil Niekro) along with Ty Cobb (The Georgia Peach, even though he was dead before the Braves brought MLB to Georgia)

[url]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/334450622_62a89789f5.jpg?v=0[/url]
(Note Spahn's, Matthew's and Aaron's numbers behind Cobb. Also 42 is represented as well outside the Braves museum entrance.

So may I suggest they also churn out 41, 14, 37 and SHEA as well?

Heh, though SHEA would have to be placed, ehh, right around where Home Plate used to be in the Citi Field parking lot.