Today is the last day of Black History Month 2026.
The first sports figure that springs to mind when I think of Black History Month is Jackie Robinson.
Jackie Robinson is a legendary baseball player on the field and an American legend off the field.
Jackie is a MLB Pioneer and American Hero.

1976 Shakey's Pizza #87 🍕 Bob Feller
Big thanks to @EarlAvery58 for today's happy mail day.
I mentioned earlier that I hauled in a Shakey's Pizza card and Earl offered me this one of Bob Feller.
Thank you, Earl!🤝

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, GA.
I was just reminded that today is Jackie Robinson's birthday and I have the utmost respect for that man.
One cannot overstate Jackie's important role in changing attitudes about race in America, which he did largely through baseball.
So today, on the anniversary of Jackie's birth we salute an American Hero.
Well done, Jackie. Be Thou At Peace. 🙏

1952 Topps #237, Jerry Coleman ⭐American Hero
I'm not a Yankees fan, per se, but I'm a huge fan of Jerry Coleman.
Jerry Coleman is a rare figure who excelled both on the field and in service beyond it.
He embodied integrity, humility, and perspective.
As a New York Yankees second baseman, he played on four World Series championship teams with the New York Yankees: 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1956.
He is even more respected for twice leaving baseball voluntarily to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces as a pilot in both World War II and the Korean War, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, a sacrifice that forever framed how fans understood his character.
After his playing days, he became a beloved broadcaster & most famously the voice of the San Diego Padres.
He is admired still because he exhibited those characteristics to which all good men aspire:
1. Excellence without ego.
2, Patriotism without bravado.
3. Lifelong devotion to making the world a better place through honor, integrity and with perspective.

1952 Topps #26, Monte Irvin ⭐ MLB Pioneer
Let the infectious smile of Monte Irvin brighten your Wednesday!
This legendary Hall of Famer and MLB Pioneer played in the Negro League for Newark Eagles.
On July 8, 1949, Hank Thompson & Monte Irvin broke the color barrier for the NY Giants.
On October 4, 1951, during the opening game of the World Series between the New York Giants and the New York Yankees Monte Irvin was part of the first all-African American outfield in MLB history - along with Willie Mays and Hank Thompson.
As a member of The Greatest Generation, Monte served in the United States Army during WWII (1943 - 1945) and fought in The Battle of The Bulge alongside the grandfather of our Mantel hobby friend and colleague @Vohnhenk.
We owe a heavy debt to all those who sacrificed so much for our freedom, like Aaron's Grandpa Jenkins and Monte Irvin.