Some other biographies from MLB's archive

(Jay Leno voice) Did ya see this? Did ya see this one?

At the end of their press release announcing details about the celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, Major League Baseball graciously included a section about Robinson’s life and career, and why he specifically deserved this great honor around baseball. I think everyone can agree they nailed it:

Robinson played his first Major League game at Ebbets Field on April 15, 1947, as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Major League Baseball has celebrated Jackie Robinson’s legacy in an extensive and unified League-wide show of support over the years, including retiring his number throughout the Majors in 1997, dedicating April 15th as Jackie Robinson Day each year since 2004, and requesting that every player and all on-field personnel wear his Number 42 during games scheduled on Jackie Robinson Day since 2009. Major League Baseball aims to educate all fans about Jackie Robinson, his life’s accomplishments and legacy, while communicating his message at all levels of the sport. For more information, please visit MLBTogether.com.

I mean, can you name another rookie first baseman from 1947? Historic!

But we’re not really here to talk about Jackie Robinson and the way he heroically played first base one time. No, it turns out that Major League Baseball had secretly been hoarding one-paragraph summaries of the lives of famous people, many of whom never even played baseball! If this weren’t 100% true, you’d think it was the fictional premise allowing some guy to make jokes online about Rob Manfred preemptively bowing down to fascism by erasing race from the story of someone whose life is essentially about race.

But that’s not the case! This is all totally true, so let’s get started.

Curt Flood

Curt Flood made his major league debut for the Cincinnati Reds against the St Louis Cardinals on September 9, 1956. A center fielder, Flood was known for his consistency at the plate and his strong outfield defense. Flood was traded to the Phillies in 1970, and played his final season for the Washington Senators in 1971.

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft out of the University of Nevada, Reno. Kaepernick took over as the 49ers starter midway through the 2012 season, and led the team to the Super Bowl. Over six seasons in San Francisco, Kaepernick compiled a 28-30 record as a starter, with a passer rating of 88.9 and 2,300 rushing yards.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali was a boxer who won a gold medal in the 1960 Summer Olympics, and would go on to become the world heavyweight champion in 1964. Ali’s legacy has been celebrated in numerous ways, including his hometown erecting a statue of him and naming their airport after him, a mall in the Philippines being named after him, and a comic book in which he fought against, and then with, Superman. In recognition of his legacy, Ali was chosen to light the torch at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

Spike Lee

In 1989, Spike Lee released Do The Right Thing, a film starring Danny Aiello, Jon Turturro, and Rosie Perez about a community experiencing a hot day in New York. Since then, Lee has been seen in the stands rooting on the New York Yankees and New York Knicks, and has directed such films as 25th Hour, Inside Man, and Oldboy. He is a supporter of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and is an Academy Award winner.

Malcolm X

Malcolm X…oh no. No no no. Pass. Definite pass. Too hard.

Martin Luther King Jr

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was a reverend who inspired many Americans to make a positive difference in their communities. His legacy lives on through the work of the organizations he founded, the many aphorisms he coined which are quoted by people across the political spectrum, and his namesake holiday, celebrated around his birthday every year. It is important to communicate Dr. King’s message to future generations so that his legacy is as unambiguous and clear as that of Jackie Robinson.