DW: You can play basketball with a ball and a milk crate. You can play football with a ball and a street. Baseball, you need at least a bat and a ball. You need a wall. Tennis balls or whatever the case may be. Slowly but surely, there a lot of guys doing a lot of great things like Torii Hunter, Jimmy Rollins, C.C. Sabathia and myself. We're going out there trying to give out the funds so these kids can have that.
Two who are grateful to wear 42
Besides honoring Robinson, Jimmy Rollins and Dontrelle Willis feel a sense of responsibility.
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Story continues below.
Q: How big is Jackie Robinson Day to you?
DW: It's the biggest thing in my career so far other than winning the World Series. Especially with me being an African American player. I can't imagine what he went through in his time. I don't think anybody can. It's not just baseball history, it's American history, what he went through on and off the field. And then on top of that, he was good. On top of that, he elevated the game. He changed the game.
Q: If you had a chance to talk to Jackie, what would you ask him?
JR: I don't know. I have no idea. I hope he'd do all the talking. Truthfully. You look at a man like that, and you're kind of afraid to say hi. You kind of look at him and shy away.
DW: I wouldn't want to ask him anything. I would just want to say thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for everything you went through. I can't repay you enough. What am I going to tell that man, you know what I mean? What am I going to tell him? Wearing 42 is the highest honor I've received. It's awesome. I'm real excited about it. I'm going to try to get on the field one time, even though I'm not pitching. But I'm very, very blessed. My family is excited.
Read other stories in this series, view historical photos and listen to audio slide shows at http://go.philly.com/jackierobinson
Contact staff writer Todd Zolecki
at 215-854-4874 or tzolecki@phillynews.com.
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