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Philly Sorry for Jackie Robinson Racism

Resolution apologizes for 1947 Phillies’ race-baiting.

Philadelphia’s City Council is apologizing for the abhorrent slurs Jackie Robinson faced while playing against the Phillies in 1947. The team’s then-manager, Ben Chapman, led the players in yelling racial slurs at Robinson, including comments like, “Go back to the cotton fields” and “They’re waiting for you in the jungles, black boy.” Robinson was even refused a room at a Philadelphia hotel where the rest of the Dodgers were staying for a game in May of that year. On Thursday, the city council passed a resolution recognizing Robinson’s achievements and apologizing for the events. The resolution will be sent to Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, who is now 93 years old.