PHILADELPHIA (AP) — On Jackie Robinson Day, Philadelphia is acknowledging its racist treatment of the baseball pioneer when he played in the city nearly 70 years ago.
The City Council is highlighting an official apology during a ceremony Friday honoring the first black Major League player. It issued the apology in a resolution last month.
The ceremony is being held at Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park, where there is a statue of Robinson.
Robinson was told to “go back to the cotton fields” by the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies when the team hosted his Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. He was also refused service at a hotel and taunted by players who hurled racial slurs when he came to bat.
Major League ballparks are also celebrating Robinson’s breakthrough career.
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