April 15th

Most associate April 15 with the federal income tax filing deadline, but in the world of Major League Baseball, it is Jackie Robinson Day.  On this day annually, every member of every baseball team wears the number 42.  The number has been retired, but it is worn to commemorate the first game played by Jackie, #42,  in 1947.   He was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball and this marked the end of racial segregation in baseball.  

The gentleman pictured on the right is Congressman John Lewis, an American hero and moral leader.  He had the honor of throwing the first pitch. Lewis was a civil rights leader and Freedom Rider during the early sixties.  The player on the left is Ryan Zimmerman, the longest-tenured player on the Washington Nationals. 

It couldn't have been a more miserable day for baseball.  It was in the low 50s with a continuous mist and a wind chill of 44, all much colder and wetter than the weather reports had predicted, so we weren't quite dressed for it. I was such a good girl, though, and never complained once, although I could have whined for hours.   I did not care about the game because I am so caught up in the  Hockey playoffs.  Tonight our son's team played and won their 3rd straight game against the LA Kings.  Each game has been incredibly close and exciting.  Unfortunately for us, the games are played on the West Coast and don't start here until 10:30 pm.  Friday night's game went into sudden death double overtime which meant we didn't get to bed until almost 3 am.  I find I am so wound up afterwards it takes me forever to fall asleep.  In every game the team continues to break NHL Expansion team records.  It just doesn't get any better than this.