Jackie Robinson Day: MLB, Lynn Thompson, others react to legislation to honor Daytona Beach ballpark
Lynn Thompson’s father, Herbert Thompson, was there.
Deep down the right-field foul line where African-American fans were relegated, he watched with pride at then-City Island Ballpark on March 17, 1946, as Jackie Robinson stepped onto the field and into history.
On Monday morning, Jackie Robinson Day, Florida U.S. Representatives Mike Waltz and Darren Soto, along with Senator Marco Rubio, introduced the bipartisan Jackie Robinson Ballpark Commemorative Site Act, in an effort to honor the facility, opened in 1914. If passed, the Secretary of Interior would then conduct a feasibility study to give the park National Historic Landmark status.
Yet, the ballpark is already a landmark, both in the Daytona Beach community and in the minds of so many, who’ve been passed stories like Herbert Thompson’s account throughout the years and decades.
JACKIE ROBINSON BALLPARK: Florida congressmen propose historic designation for Daytona stadium
“To know the backstory, when Branch Rickey called Dr. (Mary McLeod) Bethune; why did he bring Jackie to Daytona Beach? It spoke heavily about race relations in Daytona Beach,” Lynn Thompson said. “Even though it was the segregated South, the tone in Daytona Beach, with the college and educated community of African American leaders, the tone and tenor of relations between the black and white communities were far better in Daytona Beach than they were 18 miles away in DeLand, 40 miles away in Sanford or 80 miles away in Jacksonville.
“So, Daytona Beach was the right place for this to happen and even today, when you’ve got a mayor (Derrick Henry) who understands the importance of moments like this, I think it speaks very well for the city and the citizens who’ve all come together to create this special moment in history that will live on forever.”
Lynn Thompson served as the athletic director at Bethune-Cookman for 30 years, with the university’s baseball program calling the hallowed grounds home. With roots deep in the Daytona Beach area, its sports past and the weight of history represented in Monday’s proposed legislation, the moment is certainly a prideful one for Thompson.
“It means so much to me … As a kid that grew up in Daytona Beach, to also be a part of Bethune-Cookman University as the athletic program made it our homefield, there’s just so much history there,” he said. “Now to have this historic place and to have it designated officially is something that is worthwhile. To walk the grounds, to see the museum, to walk around the ballpark and see all the milestone moments, it’s amazing and I think it does the city well.”
Thompson was far from the only sports dignitary to praise the move both locally and beyond.
Here’s a look at some other reactions, including a statement from Major League Baseball:
April Brown, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility for MLB
“Major League Baseball applauds the bipartisan legislation to designate Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona as a National Commemorative Site. Jackie’s transcendent legacy as a Hall of Fame player, activist and civil rights pioneer remains an inspiration to communities across our Nation. We are proud to join (Robinson’s widow) Rachel and the Robinson family in supporting efforts to celebrate these important landmarks connected to Jackie’s history-making journey.”
Greg Rosenbaum, Chairman of Minor League Baseball’s Government Relations
“Jackie Robinson’s journey in professional baseball, where he became an American icon, started in Daytona in the ballpark which now bears his name, and it is appropriate that this location be recognized in this manner. Minor League Baseball is proud to have one of our most historic ballparks designated as a National Commemorative Site, and we appreciate the bipartisan support that made this piece of legislation possible.”
Bethune-Cookman athletic director Reggie Theus
“I think about Dr. Bethune and what she went through and what she accomplished as a black female in (the early 1900s) and think about Jackie Robinson taking that to a different level on the athletic level and the common bond being to overcome, fight through and persevere; all of those are great adages for life.
“We have to continue to tell that story. It can get lost in social media and all of the things going on today. Not being an HBCU person when I got here and learning about Dr. Bethune and seeing the correlation to what Jackie Robinson and Dr. Bethune brought to Daytona … People forget Bethune-Cookman is a serious focal point in Daytona history and to have only a couple miles away the birthplace of cross over in that sense, breaking the barrier and the ceiling was broken when she built the school on a dump for $150.
“For me as an African American athlete, having the opportunity to play in front of millions and do all the things I’ve done in my life, I did it on the backs of people like Jackie Robinson. We can never forget those moments in time, never forget what they really mean and we don’t do enough. Memorializing it with this legislation is a perfect thing.”
Dave Trembley, former Baltimore Orioles and Daytona Cubs manager
“Our players, especially our African American players, knew about Jackie Robinson and his connection to the ballpark.
“They had the number 9 on the fence out there. That was the number Jackie wore when he played here in 1946 with Montreal. Our players would say, ‘Who was number 9?’ I’d say, ‘look it up.’
“It’s a very special place and I’m so glad they’re gonna do whatever they’re gonna do to keep it as a landmark.”
Jonathan Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman baseball coach
“It’s great for the Daytona Beach Community. With minor league baseball in town and the HBCU partnership, I think it’s a win/win.
“We’re fortunate and blessed to be able to call Jackie Robinson Ballpark our home. It’s a unique ballpark because it is a museum at the same time. Not too many college baseball teams can say they play at a historic ballpark like Jackie Robinson Ballpark.”
Why is today Jackie Robinson Day?
April 15 is recognized as Jackie Robinson Day each year as he became the first African American to appear in a Major League Baseball game on April 15, 1947 while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. However, over a year prior on March 17, 1946, Robinson made his minor league debut at City Island Ballpark with Daytona Beach becoming the first city to allow integrated baseball.
When did Jackie Robinson retire?
Jackie Robinson retired after the 1956 season.
When is Jackie Robinson's birthday?
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia.
When did Jackie Robinson die?
Jackie Robinson passed away on October 24, 1972 in Stamford, Connecticut at the age of 53.
—Ken Willis contributed to this report
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: MLB, Lynn Thompson praise Jackie Robinson Ballpark legislation
