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Robinson Plaque Updated

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The Associated Press

Published: June 26, 2008

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - It was simply time for the Hall of Fame to recognize Jackie Robinson's real mark on baseball.

Nearly a half-century after he was inducted into the Hall, the late Brooklyn Dodgers great received a rare honor Wednesday - a new plaque that pays tribute to the cultural impact he had on the game and the country as the first black player in the major leagues.

"A very important part of Jack's life has been acknowledged today in a more total way," Robinson's 86-year-old wife, Rachel, said at a brief unveiling ceremony in the Hall of Fame Gallery.

The new plaque adds "Jackie" under his full name, Jack Roosevelt Robinson, and the inscription is more detailed than the original.

The final sentence is a fitting epitaph for Robinson, who died in 1972 at age 53: "Displayed tremendous courage and poise in 1947 when he integrated the modern major leagues in the face of intense adversity."

On Robinson's original plaque, unveiled at his induction in 1962, there was no mention that he broke baseball's color barrier, only a listing of his achievements on the field. That was by design.

ASTROS: Pitcher Shawn Chacon was suspended indefinitely by the team for insubordination after reportedly grabbing General Manager Ed Wade by the neck and throwing him to the ground.

Chacon has been upset since being bumped from the rotation Sunday.

RED SOX: Slugger David Ortiz (left wrist) says he is still weeks away from playing after testing his wrist by taking 25 soft swings off a batting tee.

TRADE: The Pirates acquired RHP Denny Bautista from the Tigers for a minor-league pitcher. The Tigers got right-handed reliever Kyle Peterson, who had four saves in 11 appearances at Single-A Lynchburg.

Bautista, 27, was 0-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 16 games with Detroit.

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