Jackie Robinson, A Biography

I am currently reading Jackie Robinson, A Biography by Arnold Rampersad http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865578770/Jackie-Robinson-biographer-Arnold-Rampersad-applauds-42-biopic.html?pg=all.  I am reading it for more than one reason. Earlier this year, I determined that I wanted to read more non-fiction, including biographical material. Another reason is that I went to see "42: The Jackie Robinson Story" twice. I wanted to see how much of the movie was accurate in depicting the incidents in Robinson's life.  I know that there had to be "poetic license or creative license" to fit things into the movie.  But I was curious.  So far, I think the movie did a good job. Another reason is that I am very interested in the way sports in the USA has impacted integration of races.

I went to view the movie the first weekend the movie opened in Lubbock, mostly because I do not see Lubbock as a baseball town, and wanted to be sure to see the movie before it left town. I was surprised that the theater was filled. Many weeks later, a friend wanted to see the movie, and invited me. I went. It was worth seeing twice. And, I was surprised that the movie was still in town. The movie would be worth seeing multiple times, by the way.

I say I do not see Lubbock as a baseball town. Yet, there has been a movement and effort to develop the National College Baseball Hall of Fame
 http://web.collegebaseballhall.org/index.jspin  in Lubbock for many years. The original plans were proposed by an oil speculator who had some serious legal problems and went away, and the plans were dropped except that there had already been honorees.  And a serious contingency of people in Lubbock have continued with the honoree celebrations, and have plans to actually build the Hall of Fame. I hope they do.  At one time, It included a baseball field complex. Maybe we will have some serious games in Lubbock.  Hmmm.

Anyway, I wanted to say, that although I have not completed the book it is obvious that Jackie Robinson was a very serious and complex man who took the role of integrator of baseball very seriously, and did the best he could  And he did good!