One black-and-white photo in an array on the wall of Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy’s office stands out, particularly on this day, not only for the action but also the message superimposed upon it.
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,” read the words in white type over an image of Jackie Robinson sliding into home plate.
Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. Seventy-eight years later, as MLB celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, Murphy spoke of the meaning of the day.
“It’s way more significant to a person my age,” Murphy, 66, conceded before the Brewers took on the Detroit Tigers at American Family Field.
“My childhood was a little different in baseball and who I admired, and to watch African American players really excel in our sport and be given that opportunity rightfully so … I wouldn’t want to be involved in a sport that kept people out for those types of reasons.
“So yeah, it’s an unbelievable day, super significant. I hope it resonates with our young players, if they can think back and realize the direction our game is moving in honoring those types of things is crucial.”
Since 2004, all players, coaches managers and umpires involved in every game on April 15 have worn No. 42 to honor Robinson, whose number is otherwise retired.
Murphy has an affinity for historic numbers.
He also wore 42 as a college coach at Arizona State. In honor of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, he had as coach at Notre Dame and again when he became the Brewers manager in the 2023-24 offseason. These days he is listed as No. 49 on the Brewers roster.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers manager Pat Murphy hopes Jackie Robinson resonates with youth
One black-and-white photo in an array on the wall of Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy’s office stands out, particularly on this day, not only for the action but also the message superimposed upon it.
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives,” read the words in white type over an image of Jackie Robinson sliding into home plate.
Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947. Seventy-eight years later, as MLB celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, Murphy spoke of the meaning of the day.
“It’s way more significant to a person my age,” Murphy, 66, conceded before the Brewers took on the Detroit Tigers at American Family Field.
“My childhood was a little different in baseball and who I admired, and to watch African American players really excel in our sport and be given that opportunity rightfully so … I wouldn’t want to be involved in a sport that kept people out for those types of reasons.
“So yeah, it’s an unbelievable day, super significant. I hope it resonates with our young players, if they can think back and realize the direction our game is moving in honoring those types of things is crucial.”
Since 2004, all players, coaches managers and umpires involved in every game on April 15 have worn No. 42 to honor Robinson, whose number is otherwise retired.
Murphy has an affinity for historic numbers.
He also wore 42 as a college coach at Arizona State. In honor of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, he had as coach at Notre Dame and again when he became the Brewers manager in the 2023-24 offseason. These days he is listed as No. 49 on the Brewers roster.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers manager Pat Murphy hopes Jackie Robinson resonates with youth
