Jackie Robinson Wouldn’t Let Curt Flood Stand Alone

Nearly a quarter century after breaking baseball's color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson took a stand in support of another trailblazer. When Curt Flood filed a lawsuit challenging MLB's reserve clause in 1970, Robinson — in ill health because of advancing diabetes — testified in Flood's behalf at his trial.

Although the Supreme Court eventually ruled against Flood, he was forever grateful for the support of his personal hero.

When Flood told Robinson, “I really appreciate your taking the time and effort to do this,” Robinson replied, “Well, you can’t be out there by yourself.”

“I remember these words very well,” Flood wrote in his autobiography. “ ‘You can’t be out there by yourself and I would be remiss if I didn’t share these burdens with you.’ ”

Read more about Jackie's support of Curt here.