Unfortunately, Jackie never made a Nike commercial. Bernacchi recently conducted a survey of 2,000 Metro Detroit youngsters, ages 8-14, asking them to name their favorite sports hero. Not quite as many as Babe Ruth, about 10 fewer than Hank Aaron. Major League Baseball's marketing problems are a large reason for this situation, but with the 50th anniversary, this is a good opportunity to learn who the man is. The youth of today are more concerned with short-term events, basketball player Charlie Bell said.
Most kids only care about today.
They don't care what happened 50 years ago. Ziggy Gonzalez said he believes that's unfortunate. Gonzalez said athletes and nonathletes should understand the struggles Robinson went through, and how important they are. Schools teach about Martin Luther King, and well they should. But seldom do you hear much about Jackie Robinson, and that's sad.