Chicago Tribune

Paul Sullivan: A teachable moment — and the true meaning of Jackie Robinson’s legacy to Black baseball players

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, wearing Jackie Robinson's No. 42, yells after tagging out a baserunner at during a game at Guaranteed Rate Field on April 15, 2019.

Jackie Robinson was in headlines this weekend when New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson referred to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson as “Jackie” during Saturday’s game, igniting a brouhaha between the two teams.

Whether Donaldson was joking around, as he insisted, or used Robinson’s name in a “racist” manner, as Sox manager Tony La Russa claimed, it was certain to be a hot button debate throughout baseball.

No matter where you stand on the issue, there’s no arguing Jackie Robinson’s name remains as relevant in baseball today as he was when he

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