On Friday, April 15th, the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day was commemorated by all Major League Baseball teams.
By: Angela Redding
Photos: Diana Castro/Premier Photo Int’l.
Pasadena, CA, Hollywood Beat magazine, April 15, 2022
M
ajor League Baseball underwent a major transformation on April 15, 1947, which was seventy-five years ago. We may not think about color boundaries in professional sports as often as we used to, not because everything is perfect, but because they have altered to some extent.
Because of Jackie Robinson, Major League Baseball changed in 1947 to make the sport more welcoming to Black players. Robinson was a man who stood firm in his convictions. His brave effort to see the game he loved accept men of color resulted in change, and the entire league now honors him on April 15th.
Robinson was a Brooklyn Dodger throughout his career, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, along with every other team in the league, honored him for breaking the color barrier on Saturday. To honor and memorialize Robinson’s fight, every MLB team member wore his number 42 jersey.
The Dodgers commissioned muralist Jonas Never, a former baseball player himself, to create an iconic mural on an outside wall of John Muir High School”s main building, Robinson’s alma mater, as a memorial to Jackie Robinson.
David Robinson, son of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, Ayo Robinson, granddaughter of Jackie and Rachel Robinson, Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, Naomi Rodriguez, VP, External Affairs & Community Relations for LAD, Jonas Never, muralist, Dr. Lawton Gray, Principal – John Muir High School, John Muir students, and staff members were all present at the unveiling of the mural.
Excitement Rises
In anticipation of the unveiling of the covered mural and special guest Mookie Betts, John Muir students swarmed the outdoor space in front of it. Some wore baseball caps with the number 42 embroidered with white stitches on them, while others held baseballs and markers in the hopes of getting an autograph from MVP Mookie Betts. A young lady took advantage of the situation by holding a hand-printed sheet of paper with the words “Mookie, be my prom date!” written in black letters.
Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate the 75TH Anniversary of Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier event at
John Muir High School Mural Unveiling, on April 15, 2022, in Pasadena, Ca.
A young student at John Muir High School holds a sign asking Mookie Betts to be her prom date. (Image: Diana Castro/Premier Photo Int’l.)
Betts may not have noticed the request after arriving and taking his seat under the canopy with family members, or even during his time at the podium to honor Jackie Robinson, but if we hear in the news that Betts delighted a young high school graduate by escorting her to the prom in a few weeks, the effort paid off.
Mookie was introduced and the crowd of energetic youth began to chant, “Mookie, Mookie, Mookie!”
Mookie Betts, the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder at the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates
the 75TH Anniversary of Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier event at
John Muir High School Mural Unveiling,
April 15, 2022, in Pasadena, Ca. (Photo: Diana Castro)
“I encourage all the young guys here, all the young guys and girls here to go and read up and learn some more about Jackie other than just baseball because it could help you shape your viewpoints on today in who he was. I do encourage everyone to really learn about Jackie. I know I have. Once I did, it just kinda molded me and help me past the baton.”
David Robinson speaks to
John Muir High School students
David Robinson speaks at the Los Angeles Dodgers event celebrating the 75TH Anniversary of
Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier held at John Muir High School Mural Unveiling,
April 15, 2022, in Pasadena, Ca. (Photo: Diana Castro)
Robinson’s son David spoke to the students regarding the history of his father and his family. He also spoke to them about his desire for each of them.
If you are ever looking for inspiration.. and again Mookie you said it, “Life is tough.” It’s tough for you all (John Muir students). There are a lot of distractions. There are a lot of evils. There’s a lot of sadness. You can look into your own family’s life into the life of our heroes and you can see elements that will steal you. You will not feel a weakness.
You will know that you can take a pain because it has been taken by your people generation after generation after generation. And your generation now is going to be the generation that builds. From the Jackie Robinsons, from the Martin Luther Kings, the Malcom Xs, from the last generations. You are going to build the chain of generational progress. So congratulations on your position here in high school. Take advantage of it. Remember the blood and the tears that were spilled for all of us to be here today.”
Mural unveiled
Naomi Rodriguez, the Dodgers’ VP of External Affairs and Community Relations, started the countdown to the mural’s unveiling. The iconic wall painting honoring Jackie Robinson which will be a part of the John Muir High School campus for years to come piqued the interest of all in attendance.
As the mural was revealed, clapping rose and filled the air as spectators expressed their appreciation for the remarkable work of art in front of them.
Jackie Robinson mural at the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate 75TH Anniversary of J
ackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier event at John Muir High School Mural Unveiling,
April 15, 2022, in Pasadena, Ca. (Photo: Diana Castro)
A chat with the muralist
Jonas Never shares his thoughts on the creation of the mural.
Muralist, Jonas Never at the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate 75TH Anniversary of
Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier event at John Muir High School Mural Unveiling,
April 15, 2022, in Pasadena, Ca. (Photo: Diana Castro)
HBmag: How did you get involved in creating the Jackie Robinson mural?
Never: I was a baseball player. I played against Justin Turner and played with Joe Kelly and some of the Dodger players so, I had a good relationship with the Dodgers. I painted for them in the past. Growing up I played at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Compton. I played at Jackie Robinson Stadium at UCLA.
Being a Dodger fan, being a baseball player, and being a Jackie Robinson fan – who’s more inspirational for the L.A. baseball team than Jackie. So when the Dodgers approached me about doing the mural, I was like absolutely. It was an honor. I always wanted to paint Jackie but I wanted to do it someplace that was appropriate. And what’s more appropriate than his high school.
This reaches so many kids. He actually walked these halls.
HBmag: A daily reminder, right?
Never: Yes, a daily inspiration and reminder.
HBmag: Did you do this all by yourself?
Never: Yes, I did it all by myself. I did it in about four days.
HBmag: How did you get the mural on the wall? What was your process?
Never: I drew a grid on the wall and used it to keep it to scale. That way I knew everything would align.
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate 75TH Anniversary of Jackie Robinson Breaking the Color Barrier
Closing out the day in honor of Jackie Robinson
Team members from the Dodgers gathered at the Jackie Robinson statue, Centerfield Plaza at Dodger Stadium, to hear from #42’s son David Robinson as the 75th-anniversary celebration for Jackie Robinson continued.
Every April 15th, Jackie Robinson is recognized for breaking the color barrier by becoming the first African-American player in Major League Baseball.
HB | Hollywood Beat magazine 
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