um, so your saying that just because he is black he should pay tribute? everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own choices, GA is just exercising his right. reminds me of a story i read in the LA times a few days ago about Howie Kendrick and how he pays tribute to his grandmother that raised him and whom recently passed away. he said he doesn't need to cross his heart or need to write her name or initials on his cap, because he knows what he feels in his heart and didn't need everyone to know about it or see it. people pay tribute in different ways. maybe he just came off cold in that quote, but to each their own i suppose. i just don't think saying that GA doesn't care about black people is the way to go. everyone pays tributes in different ways.

i see your point, i guess we agree to disagree on it. but i do see your point. i guess i am basing my point on his quote
"If I did it just because someone else was doing it, it would seem kind of empty to me."
which i understand him and where he is coming from. but i know alot about GA's past quotes and his treating his job as a 9-5 i show up do what i gotta do and then i bounce type of attitude, even though he has one of the coolest paying jobs in the world.

i suppose, being of mexican descent i am still waiting for Fernandomania Apreciation Day. now that is some shit that is underapreciated.

Actually,the white is always in collaporation with the black, but the black people are ignored more or less. There a black athlete said on EbonyFriends.com he worried about it.

This is an irrational article. Sweeping generalizations everywhere.

It also seems to me that the author is a tad too concerned about how the actions of one athlete affect his day-to-day life.

If I were Garret, would I wear #42. Maybe, maybe not. But to go on a tirade about his decision reeks of a call for attention.

There are certain things that are just DONE. GA's decision to not participate because "he didn't think of it himself" is a straight punk move.Period.

I think you've written a logical article and the "sweeping generalizations" bring humor to it. Also, I can understand why a BLOGGER would "call for attention". I guess what I'm trying to say is that CW is an asshat. That is all.

Just because he chooses not to wear the number does not mean he doesn't appreciate what Jackie Robinson did and accomplished, it just means he chooses not to honor Robinson IN THAT MANNER.

You're completely blowing this out of proportion. Griffey wanted to do something special to honor Robinson, that's why he petitioned the commissioner's office. Most of the sincerity of Griffey's gesture is lost once a front office member approaches one of the few (in most cases) black players on a given team, and more or less forces them to wear the jersey because "everybody else is doing it."

I also completely agree with James. I read the Kendrick article too, and it expresses the same idea -- players show appreciation in different ways. Garret doesn't feel the need to be forced to wear the jersey as a sign of respect for Robinson, and as a black person, I'm fine with his decision and understand him.

funny a white guy is outraged by this.

"Hillbilly suburb!?" Ha! I scoff at your indignation.

This is some good old-fashioned transplanted New Yorker vitriol, buddy! (Awaits requisite go back to your NYC cesspool comment... And we're back.)

Moving right along, along the lines of what Johnny said, people can observe Jackie Robinson's contributions however they want. Who really knows what, or how, Anderson contributes to the black community. He could have tons of scholarships and could be a great guy. Or he could be a world class d-bag. I really don't know. I really don't care.

As a Yankee fan, I'd love to cast stones at anything Anaheim related, but I don't think "GA" deserves it here.

fuck the pinstripes and fuck columbus circle. fuck time warner, and fuck donald trump, george steinbrenner, and all yankee fans. Dodgers forever.

This is either

a) Satire.
b) One of the lamest things I've ever read in LAist and an embarrassment as well.
c) Possibly both, because I'm not sure you're kidding, Tony.

Garret Anderson is a quiet man, but "selfish"? What evidence do you have, besides this weak tea, that he's selfish?

Just wear the fucking number bro.

Do you feel the irony in basically saying "Shuddup and do what your told, bitch".

That's a bold indictment, and it's quite apparent you know little to nothing about Garret as a person or an athlete. As someone who has followed his career from his first days as an Angel I've found him to be the consummate team player, a fine human being, and someone who goes out of his way to stay out of the limelight rather than join the me first attitudes of most of today's athletes.

I applaud those who have chosen to wear Jackie's number, especially Ken Griffey who apparently came up with the idea first.

But to simply state shuddup and wear the number and castigate Garret as being a "stereotypical black athelete", when you have no idea on why GA has chosen not to participate, is nothing more than the worst type of stereotyping.

I think Garrett Anderson is a professional who has had a great career and if he doesn't want to wear the number who in the hell says he has to! This America remember..Peace Out!

this "GA doesn't care about black people" for not wearing the number 42 is very similar to the logic that if, after 9/11, you didn't have an american flag out you "don't care" about america and that if you don't have a support the troops sticker on your car you don't care about their well-being.

GA, while his reasons may be stupid, has every right not to wear jackie robinson's number. we are supposed to praise individualism in this country and then when someone tries to be an individual (Carlos Delgado when he didn't stand for "american the beautiful) and now GA not wearing 42, we criticize and degrade them back into their place as a "functioning" and "safe" member of society.

either way, we cannot have an individualistic soceity if no one consents and champions it.

not at all because it was an idea formulated by an African-American superstar, supported by African-American superstars, to honor an African-American superstar who paved the way for the others.

And so what? Who cares what color the person was who cooked it up? That's part of the deal of getting over racism. If, as the Dodgers are doing, every single player wears 42, that's just bound to lead to confusion and hi-larity. Even presuming only the absolute minimum of GMJ, Anderson, and Kendrick (and maybe Darren Oliver if he makes a relief appearance), presumably all wearing the same number on the field simultaneously, it... makes the whole affair confusing. Leave the names on the backs, sure, but it's silly. Robinson's been honored with his own day and a universally retired number. At some point, you just have to say, enough. And for standing up to bullies who would try to cow him for not being enough this or enough that, I say GA is a real American hero.

Ridiculous article. You owe Anderson an apology.

In the land of political correctness and following others lead, Anderson shows he can think for himself. The anniversary we are talking abouut is which, the 60th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier or the 10th anniversay of his number being retired? Niether is of such great significance that one players decision to petition to use his jersey for one game constitutes the need for all players or teams to lock step in conformity.

Anderson by choosing not to follow or immitate Griffey's decision shows maturity of thought. Garret is well aware of Robinson's contribution to the game and society but obviously doesn't feel he honors the man's life by being forced into the man's uniform by peer pressure. It is of greater respect for Robinson that Anderson can choose his own path, the very foundation upon we honor Robinson in the first place.

That is what Anderson has made his stand, to be the man Robinson had worked for in his behalf.

Oh, I get it now. GA is such a fine stand up human being that what he's actually doing is creating an environment where he will be shunned and disgraced, thus recreating the atmosphere present when Jackie Robinson began playing baseball. He is going to fight adversity and stand up for his rights, just like Jackie did. He is showing that he will stand for what he believes in (childish immaturity) and he is willing to take the heat for believing in his opinion.

Sorry, GA. Baseball is a team sport. When someone dies, you wear his number; when some sponsor gives you money, you slap their label on; and for fuck's sake when someone paves the way for minorities in American, you go along with honoring them and you wear the fucking number. If no one asked and he didn't offer, that would be one thing. But he straight up said no. If you forgot to do the dishes on Mother's Day, that's one thing. But if Mom asks you to do the dishes for her because it's her day, you suck it up. That's just plain decency and respect.

Come on, even Bonds is doing it. And he's the biggest prick alive.