Robinson’s story comes to life in 42

Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford star as Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey in the film 42: The True Story of an American Legend, in theaters now. (Photo courtesy of imdb.com)

66 years ago today, the baseball world changed forever.

His name was Jack Roosevelt Robinson. He was an African-American baseball player. But he was so much more.

Today, throughout Major League Baseball, the number 42 will be worn by every player on every team. It is the only league-wide retired number.

On Friday, a film documenting the story of Jackie Robinson was released, titled 42: The True Story of an American Legend.

Here's the simple summary of the film. If you are a baseball fan, well aware of who Jackie Robinson is, you already know the general premise of the movie. There are no surprises. This is the simple story of how one man and one organization changed the game of baseball.

But if you're a new baseball fan, a student of the game trying to learn as much as possible, then this is a must-see as well. You don't have to know the story walking in. You'll learn so much.

Robinson is played by Chadwick Boseman, in what is his first major role. Boseman does an excellent job of capturing Robinson's passion and intensity.

Many of us know the story by its place in history. But the majority of people who will see the film didn't live it and didn't see Robinson take the field in person. This is like being there, it is that well put together.

The film opens with Harrison Ford, playing Dodgers' owner Branch Rickey, discussing the player to break the color barrier. He hand-selects Robinson to be that guy.

Robinson, playing in the Negro Leagues at the time, is tracked down by the Dodger organization and brought to Brooklyn for a tryout.

The movie mainly tracks Robinson's progression through the Dodgers' minor-league system, a team called the Montreal Royals, and the people he encounters.

There are multiple side stories in the film. One of Robinson's earliest companions is sportswriter Wendell Smith. Smith was an African-American writer for the Pittsburgh Courier. There is a scene in the movie where Smith tells Robinson that this moment is not just for Robinson himself but also Smith. Sure enough, Smith became the first African-American member of the Baseball Writers of America Association in 1948, the year after the Dodgers won their first pennant with Robinson on the team.

There are those against Robinson in this story – notable scenes include his own Dodgers' teammates signing a petition to not play if Robinson were in uniform or Philadelphia Phillies' manager Ben Chapman verbally harassing Robinson while joining the countless teams pitching high and inside to Robinson with intent to hit him.

There are also the moments of support – Rickey tells Robinson why he pushed so hard to break the color barrier in an emotional scene in the locker room in the heat of the pennant race, or Dodgers' Hall of Fame shortstop Pee Wee Reese putting his arm around Robinson in front of his hometown crowd in Cincinnati.

As we mark this 66th anniversary of Robinson's first game, where he reached base on an error, reaching second, and scored on a double, I think a perfect scene from the film to recall is toward the end of the film. After Reese embraces Robinson at first base, accepting that this is the new age of the game. As he walks back to his position, he turns to Robinson and says "maybe tomorrow we'll all wear 42, that way they can't tell us apart."

So when you look at the field tonight and see 25 players all wearing the same number, marking this moment in baseball and American history, remember the man that started it all and the supporting cast that taught us to accept it.

The movie, 42:The True Story of an American Legend, is playing in theaters across the country.

Kevin Durso is a contributor for Philliedelphia. You can follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.