On Historic Anniversary, Pasadena Leader Reflects on Jackie Robinson’s Challenge for Change

As Major League Baseball celebrates the 78th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier this week, a Pasadena Councilmember is reflecting on why the hometown hero never returned to the city that raised him.

April 15 marked the anniversary of Robinson’s 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The City remembers his legacy with the Jackie Robinson Community Center, Pasadena Robinson Memorial, and Jackie Robinson Memorial Field at Brookside Park.

“Jackie Robinson didn’t want to come back to Pasadena because he didn’t believe that Pasadena was a place for him in the growth of his family… at the time he was growing up, Pasadena was not the most welcoming to Black families,” said Councilmember Tyron Hampton.

Hampton contrasted Robinson’s decision with that of Jackie’s brother Mack, an Olympic medalist who chose to return to Pasadena.

“We celebrate Mack and Jackie Robinson… But there were two separate stories. You have the Mack story and you have the Jackie story. And the Mack Robinson story is the story of someone who said, you know what? I’m coming back to this community,” Hampton said.

The Councilmember sees Jackie Robinson’s legacy as a challenge to create a more equitable Pasadena.

When he thinks of Jackie Robinson, Hampton said he asks himself a question: “What do I do for the next generation to make Pasadena the place that they want to raise their families?”

Hampton emphasized economic opportunity as key to addressing inequities.

“One thing that we need to really focus on is making sure that there is economic freedom for our residents… if we invest on our own, just within our own community, then the feeling of ‘they don’t want me here’ or ‘I’m not wanted’ goes away,” he said.

For younger generations, Hampton distills Robinson’s message: “Don’t let ‘no’ be a reason to not do something that’s on your heart and that you desire to do. Don’t let someone else’s fears stop your forward progress.”