42

He had a batting average of 311,  1,518 hits, 137 home runs, 734 RBIs, and  197 stolen bases.

He was 28 years-old when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was born in Cairo, Georgia, U.S. on January 31st 1919 in a time and place where racial discrimination was at its height. He broke the racial barrier in sports and he paved the way for other non-white athletes to play in professional sports in the United States. He is non-other than Jack Roosevelt Robinson

The film "42" hits theaters Friday April 12th, 2013 just a couple days before the 67th anniversary of the day he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers.  My hope is that writer and director Brian Helgeland does the memory of this great athlete and man honor.  The question on folk's mind is how truthful will this film be.  How accurate will the writer of "Robin Hood" to the historical record. What embellishments will Helgeland take in creating another hit film?  I don't doubt that the 52 year-old storyteller will come up with a film that will make money.  I wonder what kind of discussions with the general audience will have about the inaccuracies depicted in "42." 

While Ben Affleck's "Argo" was rising up the awards ladder earlier this year, the fillmmaker was embattled about the actors he used in the film, and who the real heroes of the escape really were.  

Starring as Jackie Robinson is Chadwick Boseman. Harrison Ford plays Branch Rickey, the Dodgers club president and general manager. "Law and Order SVU's" Christopher Meloni plays Leo Durocher, the man who stood up to any team member who refused to play with Robinson with his threat of:  "I do not care if the guy is yellow or black, or if he has stripes like a fuckin' zebra. I'm the manager of this team, and I say he plays. What's more, I say he can make us all rich. And if any of you cannot use the money, I will see that you are all traded."

Brian Helgeland's screen writing credits are actually impressive. 


2010 - Robin Hood (screenplay / story) 

2010 - Green Zone (written by) 

2009 - Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (screenplay) 

2009 - The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (screenplay) 

2004 - Man on Fire (screenplay) 

2003 - The Order (written by) 

2003 - Mystic River (screenplay) 

2002 - Blood Work (screenplay) 

2001 - A Knight's Tale (written by) 

1999/I - Payback (screenplay) 

1997 - The Postman (screenplay) 

1997 - Conspiracy Theory (written by) 

1997 - L.A. Confidential (screenplay) 

I have seen all of Brian's films except for "Blood Work" and I have been very satisfied with his films in general for their entertainment value. Let's cross our fingers!