What minority baseball player today best exemplifies the character and spirit of Jackie Robinson?

Question

There are players today who are labelled "heroes", despite not doing anything truly heroic in the modern world. The question I pose is this: 60 years after Jackie Robinson carried the weight of an ethnic race upon his shoulders and broke the color barrier, what current player carries on that spirit today? What I mean is this: leadership on and off the field, community service, outstanding play, and most importantly, is considered a torch bearer.

Next month is the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier.

I got a chuckle reading the comment about Barry Bonds! If you were to include all the contributions Mr. Bonds made to...let's see here: himself, his family, himself, BALCO, high-powered attorneys, himself, his personal "trainers", himself, and his mistress, I'd say he has done nothing to lift up minorities (and done everything to prop up that great charity we like to call Barry Bonds)!

Answer 1

Dontrelle Willis. Why does it have to be black? There are plenty of white, and latino players who play the game with dignity and respect for the game. Players who are family men, do not beat there wives, are drug free, and beyond the pale when it comes to respecting the game and life, Brad Radke, Curt Schilling, Johan Santana, Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, Torii Hunter, Rey Sanchez. No one will be Jackie Robinson or compare to him all they can do is play the game right and play life right. Jackie Robinson was the tip of the spear in terms of integration of baseball and in some ways the integration of the United States.
In closing to beat the point into submission: No one can understand what Robinson went through even though players like Willie Stargell, Elston Howard, Larry Doby, Hank Aaron and many others went through extreme hatred playing in small all white towns in the South and other parts of the country when they were beating the bushes in the minors, not one of those players understands exactly what Robinson went through, because for the most parts fellow team mates and other teams understood if not accepted the fact that blacks were a part of the deal at that time.
All a player can do to live up to Robinsons ideals black, white, latino, canadian, australian etc. is play the game to the best of his ability and respect the game and the fact that whether you like it or not, whether you are Derek Jeter or some scrub called up from the minors as a roster filler for a week or two someone in the stands is looking up to you as a hero. That does not mean they have to put up with b******t from fans they have to have a care
and act like an adult all the time they are in the public eye.

Answer 2

There will never be anyone like Robinson. The circumstances he had to live through dont exist today. Why? Because of Robinson's character, strength and self control in the face of deep hatred trown at him and calmness paved the way for all minorities after him. He truly was a great man and an icon far beyond what he did on the field.

Answer 3

All i will rather say is the guy became into an remarkable ball participant...and an remarkable individual. Your precisely suited once you assert he paved the way for many of people in activities. i think of its astounding that Ken Griffey JR has saved him alive interior the sport besides, and what each and every of the ball gamers do on April fifteenth by using donning his extensive kind 40 two is an outstanding thank you to renowned each and every of the finished issues approximately Jackie Robinson. I recommend if purely he knew the end result he would nevertheless have on the sport to this present day. Its purely astounding. : )

Answer 4

I hate to say this but those players retired years ago. The person you are looking for was fired by the Washington Nationals last year and until recently was out of baseball for a few months. He was named special assistant to Major League baseball last week ----Frank Robinson. The closest actual player would be Derek Jeter or Ivan Rodriguez.

Answer 5

I would say Torii Hunter has alot of those qualities, but I wouldn't say torch bearer. I would say there is no real torch bearer player it would lean more to minority managers now breaking the color barrier. Ex. Dusty Baker

Answer 6

Andrew Jones

Answer 7

Not many, sadly. But I'll vote for Hideki Matsui. I like his motivation and professionalism. He is a true team player and a team leader. I never hear his name associated with off-field trouble. I understand he's involved in charitable works in Japan.

Answer 8

NOBODY!!! no one in the game today has the determination and spirit Jackie had today all the players are spoiled brats....Jackie played for the love of the game..these players play for money.........greedy SOB's

Answer 9

John Rocker

Answer 10

to be honest in all due respect to jackie robinson and his accomplishments there really isn't one worthy of being compared to mr robinson . roberto clemente was probably one of few who can be compared based on his humanitarian and charity efforts world wide