#itsgoodtobealive

[petervintonjr]

Lesson #109

We've certainly all heard of Jackie Robinson and understand the groundbreaking role he played (and the risks he took), but today I'd like to honor Robinson's teammate Roy "Campy" Campanella, who blazed quite a remarkable trail of his own. Born November 19, 1921 (Happy birthday!) in Philadelphia, Roy showed an early athletic talent and was reliably picked as captain of nearly every school sports team in which he played. Eventually he began playing for the Negro Leagues in 1937, having dropped out of high school to do so. First picked up by the Baltimore Elite Giants, he then did a stint in the Mexican Leagues for the Monterrey Sultans. His big break came in 1945 when he was signed as catcher for one of the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm clubs. Originally slated to play for the Danville (Illinois) Dodgers, that team's management decided they were not yet ready for racial integration and so Campanella instead started with the Nashua (New Hampshire) Dodgers, which in so doing became the first integrated professional baseball team.

Campanella officially joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1948, only a few months after Jackie Robinson. Ten seasons with the Dodgers followed, a span which also included 8 appearances in the All-Star game and 3 National League MVP awards. Perhaps most significantly Campanella was catcher for the Dodgers' historic 1955 World Series win over the Yankees, himself hitting three home runs in that series.

Sadly Campanella's professional career was cut short when he paralyzed his neck and spine in a car accident in 1958. However he remained a high-profile member of the (now Los Angeles) Dodgers organization, in various public relations and coaching roles. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 --the second African American to be so honored. His jersey (#39) was retired by the Dodgers in 1972, along with those of his teammates Jackie Robinson (#42) and Sandy Koufax (#32). Campanella died on June 26, 1993. In 2006 the L.A. Dodgers created the Roy Campanella Award, given annually to the Dodger who best exemplifies "Campy's" spirit and leadership.

Career batting avg: .283 Hits: 1,401 HR: 260 RBI: 1,017 Stolen bases: 34

Campanella's MLB stats page

(I know I've repeatedly stated that I wanted to mostly steer away from celebrities, musicians, and sports figures in this ongoing series, but on this occasion I will admit to being unable to resist the opportunity to draw what amounts to an actual baseball card!)

[jamieroxxartist]

#ImeldaMay #ItsGoodToBeAlive #FrankensteinDay!

[onecraftymess]

It’s Friday! Been waiting for today for about a month or so. I decided to make some fun uplifting cards to hopefully motivate us. The beauty of this card is that it could be given to a new graduate 😉 reminding her that this big step is manageable or perhaps to a mama who has lost a child maybe a small reminder that life sucks but you will get thru this moment. Or for our health workers - letting them know there will be an end to all this madness...I mean a card with a hand written thought inside could brighten up someone’s day! Hope you have a great weekend friends. #cards #greetingcards #handmade #papercrafts #scrapbookingsupplies #papercrafter #shescrafty #motivational #inspirational #yougotthis #wecandohardthings #thoughtful #fridayvibes #itsgoodtobealive #lifeisgood #paperart (at Indio, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAxsk9sp0lt/?igshid=szuavmrou2wm

[hookndhaul]

8C3 Being 8C3 🤷🏾‍♂️🥴🤦🏾‍♂️ (SWIPE 👈🏾 THAT WAY) #blessed #thankful #grateful #humble #itsgoodtobealive #gooddaytobealive #awakealiveandwell #awake #alive #well #goodday https://www.instagram.com/p/B_aAgbKBGrM/?igshid=1bso6xp48ooyv

[birdstrips-blog]

Bird no. 282. The Garden. . This is a haiku I wrote in a creative writing group today 😊 . My heart really was singing. In just two weeks, this group has become one of my favourite things. It happens at a picnic table in a little garden at the university, and we play games and do writing exercises and I just love structured fun so much that I can't even contain myself! It's silly and joyful and creative, and it's so nice to speak in English. . Honestly, I would love to spend the rest of my life playing Tellustrations. It is the best game in the whole world. . When we were writing haikus, I could hear so many birds singing and the sun was just right and I was full of laughter, and I just felt so happy. It's good to be alive ❤️ . Also, I sat for 2 hours without needing to leave and go lay down. That is a huge deal for me!! A month ago I would have had to stay home, and even last week I had to stand up for the last exercise. There is a road to recovery, and I feel like I'm finally on it. . I think I might have been laying in the ditch beside it this whole time 😂 . . #gratitude #itsgoodtobealive (at Montreal, Quebec)

[honeybeedebby]

It was so nice to get out for a girl’s night. Jason Gray did an outdoor concert at a camp that I grew up at. Jason shared how we try to keep things in ORDER, yet pain or our woundedness yields DISORDER. But as we receive God’s grace, for-give ness and accept His help, He can REORDER our lives again. This is an ongoing process as we grow, learn and let His light shine through. Jason said, We may not choose it (our circumstances) but God can use it. ‘ Roms 8:28 It reminded me of Matt 11:28-30, where we are invited to ‘Come’, find Rest and Learn from him. God just reaffirmed tonight that healing happens within. Regardless of our bodies or circumstances, He renews us and reorders us from the inside. That’s how the light shine through (from healing within). All GLORY to God! #jasongraymusic #learnfromgod #orderdisorderreorder #itsgoodtobealive #nightout #outinnature #godsartisticpoiema #sarcoidosiswarrior #miraclemoments #thrivenotsurvive #alliswell #blessednight #healinghappenswithin (at Milford Park Bible Camp) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFEOlJNlzEv/?igshid=dis4keeb741a

[catejo]

Walking tall. #morningshadow #thatmorningfeeling #sunshinestateofmind #goodmorningvibes #itsgoodtobealive (at Surrey, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CE6vQbGBSNW/?igshid=1gbbz067okfb

[grainfreeandhappykitchen]

Good morning lovelies, what a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the bees are buzzing and it’s time to be happy. Put a smile on. Sing and dance. Listen to the birds. Watch the butterflies and moths fluttering around. Sending you all a big 🤗 hug 😘 #morning #sunshine #inmygarden #lovingnature #beinghappy #lovinglife #feelingblessed #itsgoodtobealive #feelinghappy #bulletproofcoffee #morning #glutenfree #nomilk #grainfree #dairyfree #tefinedsugarfree #paleo #veganoption #keto #decafcoffee #nespresso #grainfreeandhappykitchen https://www.instagram.com/p/B-x7eHsDCNK/?igshid=16561jkqd7scp

[hippyclothinguk]

Wow what a sunrise! Just look at those colours. What a delight.. Where did you watch your favourite?? #sunrise #goodmorning #mothernature #happyhippy #itsgoodtobealive

[dcar70]

#itsgoodtobealive #just1moreday crack of dawn in Wine Country! (at Temecula, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3152f0p55r/?igshid=gded2xookn2a

[jamieroxxartist]

#ImeldaMay - #ItsGoodToBeAlive (Official Music Video) World #LaboratoryDay!

[joshlance-blog1]

Lovely sights in the evening! With @rasquinhaphoto and @eughenem ! . . . . . . #cupola #cross #twilight #sky #skyline #streaks #clouds #cloudscape #sunkissed #evening #itsgoodtobealive #iphone #orangesky #eveningsky #buildingsillouette #sillouette #ilovephotography #livelife #lifestyle #enjoynature #naturalbeauty #godisawesome #creationisbeautiful (at Bangalore, India)

[sandymammymc]

#mybeautifullife #jasongray #itsgoodtobealive https://www.instagram.com/p/BvevvcnnRgT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8tddhogilp5n

[chronically-hippie]

Today was a beautiful day for a walk with my fur baby Gunner 💗☀️🏙🐕 #beautifulday #sunshine #summer #beautyiseverywhere #stopandsmelltheroses #itsgoodtobealive https://www.instagram.com/p/BylLEvagXer/?igshid=1fvs1uykn2gln

[wandering-witch-adventures]

We’ve been having such beautiful weather the last few days. So glad @ella.mental and I got out to take a few photos of each other at the green belt! #beautifulday #witch #witchesofinstagram #witchyvibes #witchystyle #ootd #wonderlocks #dreadshare #dreads #girlswithdreads #girlswithdreadlocks #faerie #fairies #fairytale #lifeisbeautiful #lifeisgood #itsgoodtobealive #goodvibes #goodvibesonly #loveandlight

[kouvue94]

Happy to pronounce that I am officially an uncle, my sister had her baby early this morning or late last night, welcome to the world baby Edeline Thao, hopefully to see you grow in the future. #ItsGoodToBeAlive #LookingForwardToAllTheDiperChanges #HopefullyThisBabyDoesntKillMe