It's Jackie Robinson Day!

For most Americans, April 15 is dreaded tax day. Beware the ides of April. It's time to render unto Caesar (aka the IRS) the things that are Caesar's (aka your hard-earned money). But for baseball lovers such as myself, April 15 is much more. April 15th is Jackie Robinson Day. It is a chance to celebrate the life and legacy of the great Jackie Robinson. Today is the 65th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier.

April 15, 1947 came at a time soon after Americans had survived the Great Depression and won World War II. But even though black people stood in the same soup lines during the Great Depression and fought on the same battlefields in World War II, they were still denied the same freedoms as the white man. Jackie Robinson helped change that. Robinson opened the door to the Civil Rights Movement.

When every Major League player puts on a jersey with the Number 42 on it today, remember Jackie Robinson for more than just a .311 career hitter. Remember Jackie for being a man who grew up fighting for his rights but soon changed into a man with the dignity not to fight back.

When Robinson stepped onto the grass of Ebbets Field on that beautiful Tuesday afternoon, he was not greeted with cheers and praise but rather jeers and insults. Robinson was the target of hatred and discrimination. That was nothing new to Robinson though. While serving in the U.S. Army, he refused an order to move to the back of an Army bus and was unjustly court-marshaled. He was charged with many offenses, one of them public drunkenness even though he didn't drink. Through everything he faced, Robinson always stood up for what was right.

It was clear that Robinson would not rest until he saw America live up to its great ideals of equality. He saw any place that had inequality and discrimination as a threat to freedom everywhere. So he came to fight about policies from Ethiopia to Brooklyn. Robinson did not stand through his discrimination alone. Brooklyn shortstop Pee Wee Reese said: "You can hate a man for many reasons. Color is not one of them." When fans in Cincinnati shouted racial slurs at Robinson, Reese put his arm around his friend to show his support.

"Jackie Robinson's contributions were far beyond the baseball field," said Michael Young, who plays on a Texas Rangers team with a black manager. "Obviously, this is where it started, but I think everybody in American society owes a huge debt of gratitude to the contributions Jackie Robinson made."

So as you watch Major League Baseball today and see all of baseball celebrate the life of Jackie Robinson, remember him for who he was as a person. Remember the way he carried himself and the way he effected the lives of others. He was more than a .311 hitter and a World Series Champion. He started the Civil Rights Movement which changed America forever. Jackie Robinson once said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

Stan Musial and the Cardinals Franchise

With the Cardinals home opener yesterday, Busch Stadium was filled to see the reigning World Series Champions take the field for the first time in the city of St. Louis. But seeing the Cardinals play isn't necessarily the highlight of the home opener. The main show is the Opening Ceremonies which include the Budweiser Clydesdales and the Hall of Famers dressed in their ever so classy Red Jackets. However, when the greatest Cardinal of them all, Stan Musial, took the field riding on a golf cart with his grandson, all of Cardinals Nation put out an extra little cheer. What Stan Musial means to the St. Louis Cardinals Franchise cannot be expressed in words.

During Mike Matheny's Press Conference being introduced as the Cardinals manager, he stated that "The Cardinal way is tradition, history, and respect.." Stan Musial exemplifies every one of those characteristics. The tradition of him being at Opening Day has been a staple in St. Louis for over 40 years. His history goes without saying. Musial's .331 Batting Average ranks among the top all time and the fact that he had the same number of hits (1,815) on the road as he did on the road speaks volumes on how consistent of a baseball player he was. In his 22 year career, he played in 24 All Star Games as well as being a three time World Series Champion. Respect. A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. I will say this and will argue this with anyone. Stan Musial is the most respectable baseball player to ever put on a baseball uniform. Every day he gave everything he had and showed astounding character in doing so. Even while serving in the Second Great War, Musial was still able to put together one of the greatest baseball careers ever. Stan Musial exemplifies the three characteristics that are the Cardinal franchise in an outstanding fashion.

Cardinals Nation LOVES Stan Musial. And they should. Stan "The Man" Musial means more to the Cardinals organization than any player will ever mean to any franchise. As Stan gets older, the amount of his public showings get shorter and shorter. That's why we must cherish the opportunity for the chance to see one of the best men in history. Cherish the chance to see Stan show off that corkscrew batting stance that made him such a great hitter. Cherish the chance to see him make 47,000 Cardinals fans rise to their feet knowing they are in the prescence of a hero. Cherish the tears you shed when you see him. Just remember how great the life of Stan Musial has been and resemble the life he lived. Treat others with the respect they deserve and give them the chance to remember something forever. The legend of Stan Musial goes beyond the baseball field. It takes more than talent to be a successful ballplayer. One must have strong character and strong demeanor. Stan has that. The Presidential Medal of Freedom only added to the greatness of a boy from Donora, Pennsylvania. Remember Stan Musial for more than who he was on the baseball field. Stan Musial. More than a name. A hero. A legend. Stan Musial is Cardinals Baseball and Cardinals Nation needs to take advantage of having such a prestigious man in the history of their organiztion.