Red Sox want to honor Jackie Robinson, but have a terrible plan on how to do it

The Boston Red Sox’ Jackie Robinson tribute is laughable.

The MLB is celebrating Jackie Robinson Day much later than usual on due to the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season, as honoring him on April 15, the day he made his MLB debut and broke the color barrier that had existed up until that point in the majors, was not possible. To commemorate this occasion, the Red Sox released a set of 42 ways that you could honor Robinson’s life and legacy this August 28.

The problem with this very nice gesture, however, is that the Red Sox’ list is presented like the items descend in importance the further down you go. When reading it like this, it appears as if Boston thinks “steal home plate” is above “stand up against racism.”

The Red Sox have their priorities all messed up

Look, “42” was a very good movie. Chadwick Boseman killed it as Robinson breaking into the major leagues. Having said that, it probably shouldn’t be above “support Black-owned businesses” or “fight for equality” when it comes to honoring his legacy.

On that note, maybe buying Red Sox 50/50 raffle tickets and bidding on jerseys might do a little less good then opening a dialogue about race in this country, but to each their own. The New York Mets and Miami Marlins might’ve pulled their protest stunt a day before, but that is exactly the kind of demonstration the late Robinson would’ve been proud to see.

Boston’s heart was clearly in the right place, and most of what they’ve suggested is worth doing if you want to both honor Robinson’s legacy as one of the best infielders of all time while fighting for social change. Still, that doesn’t make their organization faux pas any less hilarious on first glance.