In April 1947 in Ebbets Field a black man trotted out to first base and a great change took place in American social and baseball history. The effect went far beyond the baseball diamond and the United States became a better place. The triumph of Jackie Robinson over hate and prejudice was a triumph for us all.

On January 20, 2009, a black man will be sworn in to the highest office in the U.S. and, as with the entry of Jackie Robinson into a white-dominated sport, this too will be a triumph for all of the country.

John Cancelarich

Presque Isle