Last Tuesday, April 8th, marked the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron setting the all-time home run record, passing the Babe with 715 career home runs. Derek Stepan Rangers Jersey . Aaron would eventually close out his career with 755 home runs, taking his place on the throne as baseballs home run king. When Aaron hit a 1-0 fastball that night, he not only powered his way into the annals of baseball history, but onto the pages of American history, as well. An African-American player held what was, at the time, the most prodigious record in all of North-American sports. Aarons incredible milestone was a large step in the fight for racial equality in baseball, and across America, but it was a step that may not have occurred if it were not for # 42, Jackie Robinson. Twenty-Seven years prior to Aarons record breaking home run, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field, becoming the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues since the 1880s. April 15th, 1947 was undoubtedly a day of celebration for many across North America, but it also marked the beginning of a long, arduous journey for Robinson. Robinson endured through 10 seasons of racial abuse, unjust criticism, as well as threats on his life, from spectators, other players and even teammates. While professional athletes are often expected to perform under the pressures of a fanbases high expectations, Robinson carried a much heavier weight than the average ballplayer, an entire race of people depended upon him. In his first few seasons, Robinson knew if retaliated against his aggressors, he would risk delaying the breaking of the colour barrier. Instead, Robinson responded with his play on the field, showcasing his five-tool talent on his way to becoming one of the greatest second baseman that ever lived. For the past 10 seasons, April 15th has been a day where Major League Baseball pays tribute to the legacy of Jackie Robinson. Today, every Major League player will pay homage to Robinson by dawning his iconic #42, unifying under one number. To celebrate the 10th-annual Jackie Robinson Day, BarDown presents to you, three songs written in tribute for three of the most iconic African-American baseball players in history: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and, of course, Jackie Robinson."Did You See Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" - Buddy Johnson"There is not an American free in this country until everyone of us is free." - Jackie Robinson"Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song)" - The Treniers"To make it into the majors and to take all the name calling, he had to be something special. He had to take all this for years, not just for Jackie Robinson, but for the nation." - Willie Mays"715" - Peter Cooper"As Ive said many times, and Ill say it again, Jackie Robinson was a pillar of strength to me." - Hank Aaron Martin St. Louis Youth Jersey . -- Canadian Kevin Pangos had 18 points, Drew Barham matched his career high with 17 points off the bench, and Gonzaga beat Pacific 70-53 on Thursday night to clinch the outright West Coast Conference regular season title. Henrik Lundqvist Blue Jersey .ca in a 30 Teams In 30 Days tour of the NHL in preparation for the upcoming season. The axe came down on CFL veterans Justin Palardy, Hugh Charles, Jamel Richardson and Martell Mallett on Saturday. All four were released as CFL teams reduced their rosters to 46 players by the league deadline of 10 p.m. ET. The regular season kicks off Thursday with the Toronto Argonauts visiting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Veteran kicker Palardy was among 14 players cut by the expansion Ottawa Redblacks. While his release was surprising, the Edmonton Eskimos provided a shocker by including seven-year veteran Charles name in their final 15 cuts. A knee injury limited nine-year CFL veteran Richardson, 32, to only 18 catches for 197 yards last year, breaking a streak of five straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons with Montreal, which also let veteran linebacker Diamond Ferri go. Mallett, the 09 CFL top rookie with B.C., was released by Calgary. The running back was attempting to resurrect his career after suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon during training camp in 12 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Veteran defensive back Evan McCullough, who earned a Grey Cup ring with Toronto in 12, was among five players released by Hamilton. The Argos were expected to announce their final cuts Sunday. Palardy, a 26-year-old native of Truro, N.S., was looking to kick-start his CFL career with Ottawa but was released along with international kicker Paolo Henriques, leaving American rookie Brett Maher as the clubs only kicker. Howeer, late Saturday night it was reported that Maher had also been released. Maher had a field goal, three converts and single in Ottawas 26-10 exhibition win over the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night, but he didnt exactly receive a ringing endorsement from Redblacks GM Marcel Desjardins on Saturday. "Unfortunately nobody lived up to what we felt the acceptable level of performance would be," Desjardins told reporters. "Even in Bretts case, he knows he need to be better. "It doesnt mean hes locked into being our guy either . . . were still having guys to explore and other options to look at and were going to do that. We have time, we have bye week so we have a lot of time to figure this out." The Redblacks dont play their first game until July 3 in Winnipeg. Palardy, a former Saint Marys star, was taken in the fifth round of the 2010 CFL draft by Hamilton and played in five games as a punter before being released. Palardy joined Winnipeg in August 2010 and made 26-of-30 field goals for a club-record 86.7 per cent success ratio. He followed that up by hitting 40-of-52 field goals in 2011. The following season, Palardy was Winnipegs nominee for the CFLs top special-teams player after making 39-of-45 field goals and averaging a career-high 57.3 yards on 70 kickoffs. But after hitting 9-of-12 field goals in 13, Palardy was replaced by Canadian Sando DeAngelis and released by the Bombers on Aug. 27, 2013. He signed with Ottawa on March 6. Palardy punted 12 times against Montreal for a 39.8-yard average. Redbblacks head coach Rick Campbell said cutdown day is tough for all involved.Mats Zuccarello New York Rangers Jersey. "This is not a fun day," he said. "Theres a lot of guys that have put in a lot of work to get to this point and to try and make a football team. "To give people bad news, you never want to do it but its a part of the fact of what happens in pro sports." Over his career, Palardy made 114-of-139 field goals (82 per cent) and boasted a 42.1-yard punting average Also released by the Redblacks were national receivers Aaron Hargreaves, Simon LeMarquand and Steven Adu, international defensive back Parker Orms, international linebacker Devin Arrington, national defensive lineman Stephon Miller, international defensive lineman Dimetrio Tyson,, national offensive linemen James Lee, Brendan Dunn and Aaron Wheaton, international receivers Taulib Ikharo and Travon Patterson. The B.C. Lions released seven players. They were: national running back Guillame Bourassa, international defensive back Tony Burnett, international linebacker, Korey Jones, international defensive lineman Dyrell Porcha, international offensive tackle RJ Dill, national kicker/punter Steven Shott and national linebacker Thomas Spoletini. American defensive end Scooter Berry, who was entering his third CFL season, was among 14 players released by Montreal. The six-foot-two, 275-pound Berry had spent time in the NFL with the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, as well as Arena Football Leagues Jacksonville Sharks, before joining the Alouettes. "Lost a lot of good teammates today especially my boy (at)Sdot--Berry," Alouttes defensive lineman John Bowman tweeted. "I wish all yall the best. "This is the non fun part about the game." Montreals moves mean international receiver Chad Johnson made its final roster. Johnson, 36, was a longtime NFL star but was out of football for two years before signing with the Alouettes. In addition to Charles, Edmonton released national defensive linemen Michaell Dadzie and Gregory Alexandre, national receiver Anthony Barrett, international defensive linemen Cameron Sheffield, Daniel Ross and RaShon Harris, national cornerback Raye Hartmann, national centre Gord Hinse, international defensive backs Robert Sands and Myron Lewis, international slotback Brandon McRae, national punter-kicker Zackary Medeiros, national linebacker Kyle Norris and national fullback Smith Wright. The Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders released 26 players, including international linebacker Brandon Isaac, who earned a Grey Cup ring with Toronto in 12 and spent last season with Hamilton. Also let go were national receivers Jade Etienne -- selected fourth overall in the 11 draft by Winnipeg -- and Jordan Sisco, a 2010 second-round pick by the Riders, and international defensive lineman Markus White, who suffered a seizure during camp. Winnipeg made its final cuts Friday, releasing 11 players, including former starter Max Hall. cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
