Cradle of movement hosts MLB's Civil Rights game

By Errin Haines

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, May 12 2011 3:00 p.m. MDT

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FILE - In this March 31, 2008 file photo, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame baseball player Ernie Banks, right, places a bat in the hands of Hank Aaron, left, during ceremonies honoring Banks with a statue outside Wrigley Field in Chicago. Academy-award winner Morgan Freeman, Grammy Award-winning artist Carlos Santana along with Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Hank Aaron will be honored during Major League Baseball's annual Civil Rights Weekend in Atlanta.

Charles Rex Arbogast, File, Associated Press

Summary

Major League Baseball is coming to the home of Martin Luther King Jr. to pay tribute to those whose life's works embodies the spirit of the Civil Rights movement.

ATLANTA — Major League Baseball is coming to the home of Martin Luther King Jr. to pay tribute to those whose life's works embodies the spirit of the Civil Rights movement.

For their efforts, baseball is honoring Academy-award winner Morgan Freeman, Hall of Famer Ernie Banks and Grammy Award-winning artist Carlos Santana during its annual Civil Rights weekend.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, who will participate in this weekend's events during the Braves-Philadelphia Phillies three-game series, says baseball "has played a unique role in advancing the civil rights struggle." Jackson says with Jackie Robinson breaking the baseball color line in 1947, Robinson "challenged and changed the American climate."

MLB will also pay special tribute to Braves' legend and Hall of Fame outfielder Hank Aaron.

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