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Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier

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American professional baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) of the Brooklyn Dodgers, dressed in a road uniform, crouches by the base and prepares to catch a ball, 1951. Throughout the course of his baseball career Robinson played several positions on the infield as well as serving as outfielder. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
American professional baseball player Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) of the Brooklyn Dodgers, dressed in a road uniform, crouches by the base and prepares to catch a ball, 1951. Throughout the course of his baseball career Robinson played several positions on the infield as well as serving as outfielder. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Thursday is opening day for baseball. And after a labor dispute between players and owners nearly cost us the season, that feels like a small miracle.

But as teams and their fans look forward to the season, we look back to a watershed moment 75 years ago. That's when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier.

Host Peter O'Dowd speaks with Andrea Williams, author of "Baseball's Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues."

Former Dodgers manager Leo Durocher (left) and Jackie Robinson (right) feuded for decades. (AP)
Former Dodgers manager Leo Durocher (left) and Jackie Robinson (right) feuded for decades. (AP)
Players on the New York Mets all wear the #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day before their game against the San Diego Padres on April 15, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. All Major League Baseball players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson day. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Players on the New York Mets all wear the #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day before their game against the San Diego Padres on April 15, 2009 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. All Major League Baseball players are wearing #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson day. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

This segment aired on April 7, 2022.

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