CHICAGO, IL – The death of Reverend Jesse Jackson a week ago at the age of 84 brought me back to April 16, 2014. He was at Yankee Stadium during the Jackie Robinson Day festivities, which was held a day late because of rain. The Yankees dedicated a plaque honoring Nelson Mandela inside Monument Park.
Joining Jackson were Mandela’s grandkids, Lindo Mandela and Zondwa Mandela, along with Rachel and Sharon Robinson and Harry Belafonte. I was up in the owners’ suite with Hank Steinbrenner, where we were practically surrounded by royalty. I asked Zondwa if he followed baseball, and he said soccer was his sport. When I asked him if he played, he bragged that he could have gone pro. I seeked out Hank and told him he had to hear this sh!t. I asked Zondwa to repeat to Hank what he said about his soccer skills. After claiming to Hank how great he was, I taunted Hank into giving him a contract to play for the New York City Football Club, the team owned by the Yankees.
I then noticed Rev. Jackson making his way towards the exit in the middle of the game. I bee-lined over to him and was amazed at how tall he was. He stood well over 6 feet. Since he was from Chicago, I asked the Rev if he rooted for the Cubs or the White Sox. He responded, “I root for both.” I then gave him the jive talk when I said, “Come on man, you can’t root for both, that’s like being bisexual.” The posse with him got quiet and uncomfortable until Jackson broke out in laughter. He then confessed, “In that case I root for the White Sox!” I then responded, “Southside, baby!” He shook my hand and gave me an embrace before taking off.
Till this day, I still regret not taking a picture with the man who was with Martin Luther King Jr. on that fateful day at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968 where King was assassinated.
The Reverend Jackson left me a memory of his human side that I will cherish forever.
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