KURD HACKER KURDISCH HACKERS » arena would not exist and would be outla

Last Tuesday, April 8th, marked the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron setting the all-time home run record, passing the Babe with 715 career home runs. Aaron would eventually close out his career with 755 home runs, taking his place on the throne as baseballs home run king. When Aaron hit a 1-0 fastball that night, he not only powered his way into the annals of baseball history, but onto the pages of American history, as well. An African-American player held what was, at the time, the most prodigious record in all of North-American sports. Aarons incredible milestone was a large step in the fight for racial equality in baseball, and across America, but it was a step that may not have occurred if it were not for # 42, Jackie Robinson. Twenty-Seven years prior to Aarons record breaking home run, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field, becoming the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues since the 1880s. April 15th, 1947 was undoubtedly a day of celebration for many across North America, but it also marked the beginning of a long, arduous journey for Robinson. Robinson endured through 10 seasons of racial abuse, unjust criticism, as well as threats on his life, from spectators, other players and even teammates. While professional athletes are often expected to perform under the pressures of a fanbases high expectations, Robinson carried a much heavier weight than the average ballplayer, an entire race of people depended upon him. In his first few seasons, Robinson knew if retaliated against his aggressors, he would risk delaying the breaking of the colour barrier. Instead, Robinson responded with his play on the field, showcasing his five-tool talent on his way to becoming one of the greatest second baseman that ever lived. For the past 10 seasons, April 15th has been a day where Major League Baseball pays tribute to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Today, every Major League player will pay homage to Robinson by dawning his iconic #42, unifying under one number. To celebrate the 10th-annual Jackie Robinson Day, BarDown presents to you, three songs written in tribute for three of the most iconic African-American baseball players in history: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and, of course, Jackie Robinson."Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" - Buddy Johnson"There is not an American free in this country until everyone of us is free." - Jackie Robinson"Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" - The Treniers"To make it into the majors and to take all the name calling, he had to be something special. He had to take all this for years, not just for Jackie Robinson, but for the nation." - Willie Mays"715" - Peter Cooper"As Ive said many times, and Ill say it again, Jackie Robinson was a pillar of strength to me." - Hank Aaron Air Jordan 13 Ireland . Ortiz hit a pair of two-run homers, including his 400th shot in a Red Sox uniform, and drove in a career high-tying six runs to power Boston past the Houston Astros 10-7 on Saturday night. Cheap Jordan 13 Ireland . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.cheapairjordan13ireland.com/. -- Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana agreed Tuesday to a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles as he tries to come back from the second major operation on his left shoulder. Cheap Jordan 13 Retro . INJURIES - Cardinals 1B Matt Adams has been put on the DL with calf tightness, resulting in some lineup shifting, with Allen Craig moving from right field to first base, so that the Cardinals could bring up top prospect Oscar Taveras, who was the No. Air Jordan Retro 13 Authentic . - Hitting was supposed to be the Pittsburgh Pirates weakness coming into the season yet they lead the major leagues in home runs through the first 16 games of the season.MINNEAPOLIS -- Another group of former NHL players has joined the fight for compensation for head injuries they say they incurred while playing, while at the same time targeting the violence of the game that they believe brought about those injuries. Retired players Dave Christian, Reed Larson and William Bennett filed a class action lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday alleging that the league has promoted fighting and downplayed the risk of head injuries that come from it. "I think the glorified violence is really the Achilles heel for the NHL," said Charles "Bucky" Zimmerman, an attorney at Zimmerman Reed that filed the lawsuit on behalf of the players. "If anything comes of this, the focus on the glorified violence and perhaps the change to that will be a good thing." The lawsuit, which is similar to one brought by former football players against the NFL, joins others filed by hockey players in Washington and New York and seeks monetary damages and increased medical monitoring. The NHLPA declined to comment. A message was left with the NHL seeking comment. Zimmerman also worked on the football litigation, which resulted in the NFL agreeing to pay a $765 million settlement to thousands of former players. That settlement is still awaiting a judges approval, but the headlines it generated have been partially responsible for hockey players mounting their own case against the NHL. "Weve seen it in football. Its now here in hockey. Its of the same genesis," Zimmerman said. "Theres knowledge, we believe, that these type of concussive injuries were known and protections were not put in place appropriately enough and fast enough and rules changes were not implemented even today in fighting. "Players continue to be at risk aand suffer as a result of those risks that they take on behalf of the sport.dddddddddddd We think those are unreasonable and they should be changed and the players should be compensated." The lawsuit alleges "the NHL hid or minimized concussion risks from its players, thereby putting them at a substantially higher risk for developing memory loss, depression, cognitive difficulties, and even brain related diseases such as dementia, Alzheimers disease, and Parkinsons disease." One argument that tries to separate the NFL litigation from the NHL case is that by engaging in fighting, players willfully take on the health risks that could come from that. "You could make that argument only to a point," Zimmerman said. "And the point is that the fighting arena would not exist and would be outlawed as it is in every other level of the game had the NHL not condoned it and sold tickets based upon it and promoted the sport in that way. Its not the players that promote the sport in that way because the players dont implement the rules. Its the league that implements the rules. If they would outlaw fighting, there wouldnt be people who would fight." Zimmerman said he thinks more players will join the litigation much in the same way the group of plaintiffs in the NFL case exponentially grew as it progressed. "The light went on for them as the football players story was becoming more told," Zimmerman said. "I think the hockey players started to see that their story was going to be heard and told. Its not that we havent known about football players or hockey players getting hurt. Its now become more important that we talk about it and do something about it rather than just benignly let it continue into the future." ' ' '