Torii stirring the pot

For tomorrow
Mets: All players will wear 42 (Last year only Manager Willie Randolph did)

Giants: Ray Durham will wear 42 (Last year only Barry did)

After reading what Torii said I kinda agree with him. I think Junior was in the right in asking to wear the number, but when all of the teams getting involved things can get crazy if they start to think of it as a publicity thing. I think it does make it seem more of a cool thing to wear the number rather than a tribute. I am sure that with almost a full slate today, we will hear what each team is doing as the day goes on.

I'm interested to see if GMJ wears the 42 again or if it takes a different direction.

The most important thing needs to still be to honor what Jackie Robinson and his family did for baseball.

It was interesting to hear his views on the Robinson tribute but I have to wonder why, when a black man speaks out, he is considered to be "stirring the pot" or causing trouble? Torii was being open and honest about his feelings and because they were something different from the Baseball Commissioner's views it is a controversy.

It was Ken Griffey Jr.'s idea to individually wear #42 to honor Jackie Robinson. Bud Selig thought it was a good idea and took it upon himself to "invite" everyone to wear #42 without any consulting from black players, managers, or staff. It's like Selig saying, "It's a party, everyone wear party hats!" This is where the issue got out of hand once Selig became the decider and yanked the tribute out of Griffey's hands. This is the point I think Torii was trying to make. Maybe Griffey should have stepped up and offered Selig some advice but who knows if he felt he was in a position to do that.

I agree with Torii's assesment of the all white Astros wearing the #42 patch on face value, if the Astros players were told/ordered to wear them. If the players individualy wanted to honor Robinson and collectively decided as a team to wear the patch then I think they have the right to do so.

I can't remember or find it on the web.

before Al Sharpton creates a Halos Heaven user account to inject himself in this thread?

The Angels and Rangers are among the nine clubs whose entire rosters will wear No. 42 today in celebration of Jackie Robinson Day.

Originally, seven Angels - Gary Matthews Jr., Torii Hunter, Darren Oliver, Garret Anderson, Guerrero, Figgins and Kendrick - intended to wear No. 42 today.

But late last week, General Manager Tony Reagins called pitcher John Lackey, the team’s union representative, to suggest the entire team wear No. 42.

“He welcomed it,” Reagins said. “What Jackie meant to this game is historical, and we’re honoring that.”

la-torii.com

Future Angels Yard Sale fodder…?