Last Updated on August 30, 2016 by Andre Loftis
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sacramento–Last Tuesday, the California State Assembly passed a resolution to name a section of the 210 Freeway that traverses the City of Pasadena after legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson.
In 1947, despite stubborn racism, harsh treatment and institutional discrimination, Robinson broke the color-barrier in major league baseball when he made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson not only defied all the odds weighted him, along the way he played his way into the history books and into the hearts of America.
After an illustrious career that paved the way for legions of remarkable African American baseball players who followed him, second baseman and Hall-of-Famer Robinson retired from baseball in 1957 with a lifetime batting average of .311.
Although he entered professional baseball despised by many who played and/or were fans of the game; by the end of his remarkable career Robinson had earned the respect, love and admiration of many; so much so that upon his retirement—his now famous jersey number, 42, was retired by every team in Major League Baseball.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”65571″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]It is appropriate that a section of the 210 Freeway through Pasadena should be named in Robinson’s honor; after all, he came of age in Pasadena where he attended John Muir High School and Pasadena City College. While in high school and college there he not only played baseball; but basketball, football and track as well.
After he left Pasadena City College, Robinson transferred to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1939, where he became the first Bruin to letter in four sports: baseball, basketball, football, and track.
When the highway measure was passed by the legislature last week, its author, Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) said, “Jackie Robinson is not only an inspiring figure to us for his accomplishments in athletics, but also as a civil-rights-era trailblazer who advocated for social change. His contributions to baseball and society have made an everlasting impression on our nation.”
The 4.2 miles (symbolic for his jersey number 42) stretch of Interstate 210 between Gould Ave and Orange Grove Boulevard, a commonly used route to Dodger Stadium for fans coming from Eastern Los Angeles County, will be designated the Jackie Robinson Memorial Highway.
“It’s only fitting to honor Jackie Robinson by naming this stretch of highway near the home he grew up and lived in,” said Gatto. “The sacrifices and differences he made will always be remembered.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
