Jim Crow was king... and I heard a game in which Jackie Robinson was playing, and I felt pride in being alive. Lou Brock
After Jackie Robinson the most important black in baseball history is Reggie Jackson, I really mean that. Reggie Jackson
All though I didn't meet him. His legend and his saga and his story is just that. Jackie Robinson, we all have to tip our hat to him. Because he made the game available to guys like me. Dave Winfield
Baltimore was like a small town when I got there - the Colts, the Orioles, guys like Frank Robinson, we all knew and respected each other. Everyone would cross paths at one point at Lenny Moore's Sportsman's Lounge, trading stories and having some fun. Earl Monroe
I used to love to see Willie Pep and Ray Robinson. To me, the epitome of a great athlete is a great boxer. I just love the rhythm of seeing a man dance, slip punches. I loved the dancers and boxers. I would see them and be mesmerized. Emanuel Steward
I used to tell Jackie (Robinson) sometimes when they were throwing at him, 'Jackie, they aren't throwing at you because you are black. They are throwing at you because they don't like you. Pee Wee Reese
I was also very lucky to be a teammate of two of the greatest players to have ever played the game. I learned very early on by playing for Frank Robinson and with Henry Aaron that even the greatest players in the game were just one of the guys. Robin Yount
Jackie Robinson, as an athlete and as someone who was trying to make a stand for equality, he was exemplary.Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Robinson was important to all blacks. 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