Baseball-Tribute To Jackie Robinson

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Jackie Robinson


There are a lot of “firsts” in the long history of
African Americans in this country. And with each
one, a new plateau of equality and acceptance was
achieved. But it can also be said without exception
that each one came at a price for the brave people
who fought hard to improve the lives of their people
and achieve that great breakthrough in their chosen
field.

These principles are certainly true in the arena of
sports and especially baseball. Baseball has long
been considered the great American pastime. So on
April 15th, 1947 when Jackie Robinson walked out
onto the field to be the first black to shatter
the color barrier in professional baseball in a
game between his team, the Brooklyn Dodgers and
the Boston Braves, he was making a dramatic statement.

But this was no day of parades and celebration for
Robinson. As is the case in so many great events in
black history, that was time of tremendous racism,
prejudice and discrimination against African Americans.
Jackie Robinson was an extraordinary baseball player.
In his first year alone he played 151 games, led the
league in his base stealing ability and was awarded
with the first rookie of the year award ever given.
While Jackie played with the Dodgers, they went to
the World Series six times and he played in six all
star games as well. He was a solid performer and a
tremendous benefit to his team for which he won the
most valuable player award in 1949 and helped the
Dodgers win the World Series in 1955.

As is often the case, it took some brave leadership
from supporters outside of the African American
community to see to it that prejudice would not
keep a brilliant career such as Jackie Robinsons
from reaching its true potential. When some of
the Brooklyn Dodger players refused to sit next
to Jackie Robinson and showed other hostile attitudes
towards him because of his race, management stood
firm that if they could not become a team with all
members of the club, they were welcome to go play
baseball elsewhere.

But one of the most emotional and heart warming
moments that has become a shining example of the
fall of racial bigotry in this country came in a
game in Cincinnati Ohio in Robinson’s rookie year.
As the fans at the game began to heckle and shout
racial slurs at Robinson, one of his fellow
Dodger’s, Pee Wee Reese, took a stand to bring this
kind of behavior to a stop. His statement that
racism would no longer rule in baseball was simple
and elegant. As fans shouted their hateful remarks,
Reese walked out on the field and put his arm around
Jackie Robinson clearly communicating that this
man was a teammate and a valued ball player on
that team. The taunts ended abruptly and Reese
and Robinson went on to do what they came to
that game to do, play outstanding baseball.

Jackie himself never made his baseball career
about race. He chose to demonstrate dramatically
what Dr. Martin Luther King later described when
he said that the day must come when we judge a
man not by the color of his skin but by the content
of his character. Jackie Robinson made his stand
for equality by showing that at the heart of his
character was a superior baseball player and a
valued member of the baseball community.
Even when Robinson spoke of his days pioneering
baseball for other African Americans, his words
demonstrated that he only wanted the chance to be
tested fairly along side all other athletes, no
more and no less. His simple statements really
summarized so much of what the civil rights
movement was all about when he said, "You can
hate a man for many reasons, color is not one
of them.” And later in his career he stated
it again beautifully when he said, "I'm not
concerned with your liking or disliking me...
all I ask is that you respect me as a human
being."

This emphasis on the individual, on the quality
of all men and all Americans and their right
to be judged for who they are as people, not
subjected to prejudice as African Americans
is a perfect summation of the struggle of
African Americans everywhere.

To your continued Success

Terry Ritschard
24/7 MultiMedia
602-510-2830
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Guide to Buying Books on Candle Making

Books on Candle Making

Making your own candles is a favorite craft and hobby many
individuals. They find the process to be enjoyable and relaxing.
Candle makers have been know to turn to their hobby in
times of stress. For some candle makers, once they learn the
basics they are ready for new challenges. Purchasing books
on candle making can provide you with everything from basic
 instructions, tips, and creative ideas to make beautiful candles.
Most candle making books offer wonderful illustrations as well
as step by step instructions.

The type of book you want to purchase will depend on your
candle making experience, the types of candles you are
 interested in making, and if you are making candles for fun
or to sell. Take the time to explore what each book has to
offer you before making a purchase so that you
won’t be disappointed. You might also check with your
local library for books on candle making. If you find one
 there you really like then you have the option to purchase it.
You can also find great discounts on used candle making
books online at Ebay and Yahoo Auctions.

“The Candle Maker’s Companion” by Betty Oppenheimer
and Deborah Balmuth is considered to be the “must have”
candle making book. It offers information for everyone
including beginners and advanced. Another great choice is
“The Encyclopedia of Candle Making Techniques”. This
book has gotten rave reviews for providing quality
information in an easy to understand form.

For those of you who have a solid foundation of basic
candle making processes, consider trying “The Complete
Candle Maker Techniques, Projects, and Inspirations”.
The book offers great photos of forty different candles
you can make. There are step by step instructions to help
you make any of them that interest you. This book includes
great tips and points as well to help candle makers avoid
the common mistakes that affect the results of their candles.

For those of you who enjoy making candles for special
occasions and holidays, the book “Creative Candles:
Over 40 Inspiring Projects for Making and Decorating
Candles for Every Occasion” by Sue Spear is a great
book to consider for your collection. This book features
candle making ideas for Halloween, Easter, and Christmas.
There are also ideas for creating candles to use as center
pieces and for wedding decorations.

If you are interested in doing candle making with your children,
“Great Candles” is especially designed with fun candles that are
easy to do with them. The book is also written in a way that
children will be interested in reading it as well. The internet is a
great resource to find other great candle making books to meet
your expectations.

Candle making is a great pastime. You can educate yourself on
the areas of candle making by exploring various books. There
are books designed for all candle making levels of expertise as
well as on particular themes of candles and types of candles.
The market is flooded with resources in the area of candle making,
so the process of tracking down a few good books on the subject
should be easy as well as fairly inexpensive. Remember to check
the library, local book sales, and yard sales for these books as well.
Compare prices online to make sure you get the best price for the
ones you are interested in.

To Your Success

Terry Ritschard
24/7 MultiMedia

602-510-2830

Olympic Hockey in Review

Another Winter Olympic Games have come and gone. I congratulate and thank all the participants that helped to make this set of games truly remarkable and a marvelous experience for all that watched. All the contestants showed the true Olympic spirit and determination to achieve excellence, which I do believe each one accomplished whether they received a medal or not.

The Highlight of the games at least from my perspective was the gold medal hockey game between Canada and the USA. Rivalry between the two squads is really an understatement, like the roman gladiators of old, each team was determined to win no matter what the cost . The teams played with discipline and such a quick tempo that it truly was difficult to even follow the puck. 

To even try and recap the game would be like trying to explain the beauty and awesomeness of mother nature itself. Even until the final goal was scored it was a battle of wills. The coaches, players and fans  all in desperation mode yet seemingly in complete control. 

The talent and expertise of all the players in this years tournament, left me in awe. The only comparison in all of hockey is the Stanley Cup final itself. 

Thanks again,

 to all the world competitors

Terry Ritschard