Did you catch it? Jackie Robinson's son, David, spoke with Bob Costas Last Night

The only thing I enjoyed about yesterdays broadcast of the first game of the 2012 World Series was the pregame show that featured a look back at some Dodgers history.

Bob Costas sat down with Jackie's son, David, on the 40th anniversary of his fathers death, and spent a few moments reflecting on his fathers legacy and his memories of him.  Check out the video below.

Although Jackie passed away when David was just a young man (at 20), it is obvious that he had a huge impact. 

“Him as a father, as a male and man figure in my life, as a strength and representing certain values. That’s the memory. The ballplayer is an image that’s known, but it really was the man that impact the boy.”

David spoke of his competitive spirit.

“I have a picture in my office in Tanzania. I’ve got his back, watching the field. Somebody’s hit a home run. My father is watching to see if he’s touched all the bases…I love that. I show my children that…to say, basically, it’s against our rules to give up. That’s a great motto for Jackie Robinson’s children and any children today.”

And of his ability to steal home plate.

“I’m always amazed to this day thinking about a man challenging the speed of a baseball…You got to have a lot of heart and a lot of confidence to figure you can make that run and beat that ball with the catcher and the pitcher against you.

Finally, David Robinson spoke of his legacy.

“There was a sadness, of course. He knew he was dying and his life was coming to an end, and what he had done was only partially done. There was not the manager that he saw, but there’s got to be the celebration. There’s tragedy in life and there’s the potential of taking the years you have, however short, and making them meaningful. In those short years, he did more than men who would live to 100. One of the definitions of greatness I think is someone who carries on until the final moment and continues to push the agenda and the issues that one has. That was forefront in his life…It was about something that impacted the civil development of American society and I think that’s an important and great thing that a baseball player did.”

Watch the video below.

Video Link:

A Big Hat Tip to Tim at MLB PR for passing this along.

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