God, Baseball, and the Decision That Integrated the Major Leagues
The general facts surrounding the integration of baseball have been known for more than seventy years. Now—drawing from recently discovered sermons, interviews with Jackie Robinson's family and friends, and even an unpublished manuscript by the player himself—journalist and baseball lover Ed Henry reveals for the first time the extent to which both Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey were guided by their shared Christian faith.
From the private meeting with a minister that cemented Rickey's determination to pursue Robinson, to the faith that sustained Jackie throughout his life, Henry adds a new dimension to the story we only thought we knew.
The bridge-building relationship Robinson forged with Rickey would end up being just one of many times Jackie overcame racial division. Filled with baseball stories that will enthrall even the most ardent fan of the game, 42 Faith digs deep into why Robinson was the man he was and what drove him and challenged him. "I am not out to be anybody's martyr or hero," he said. "But I think we all ought to join hands and hearts and effort and whatever else is necessary to enlighten the world about us."
Robinson's status as a baseball icon and civil rights hero has already inspired millions. But this fresh look at his legacy brings to light how an unshakable trust in God served as the true source of inspiration for a turning point in American history.
