DAILY DIRT: It’s almost time for annual celebration of Jackie Robinson, but let’s not forget about his older brother

Daily Dirt for Monday, March 24, 2025

Mack Robinson was overlooked while running in the shadow of Jesse Owens in the famous 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,237 of The Daily Dirt

1. This was one of the most fascinating stories I have ever come across, and thought it well worth sharing.

Jackie Robinson Day in MLB is every April 15. That’s when, among other celebrations, all MLB players wear No. 42 in honor of Robinson, the man who broke the sport’s color barrier back in 1947, arguably the most significant landmark in all of sports.

I would venture it safe to say the large majority of Americans have at least some sort of understanding about the importance of Robinson’s contributions, not only to baseball, but to mankind in general. Yet I would venture that very few are in tune with the facts his older brother, Mack, also deserves at least a footnote in the same chapter of history.

Matthew McKenzie “Mack” Robinson won the silver medal in the 200 meters in the 1936 Olympics. That was the Olympics that saw fellow American sprinter Jesse Owens win four medals, including the 200 meters. Owens, who like Robinson was a Black American, turned in his famous performance right in front of racist dictator Adolf Hitler, whose Nazi Germany served as Olympic host that year (Yes, Hitler and the Nazi’s were racists, in case anyone had forgotten these days).

While Owens received much attention — and rightly so — for what he accomplished, especially considering all the political overtones surrounding that particular Olympics, Mack Robinson’s effort was all but ignored. Or at the very least, overlooked.

After the 1936 Olympics, Mack Robinson did not receive any great windfall, financial or otherwise. He simply went back home and worked as a janitor. Years later, Robinson’s younger brother, Jackie, wound up gaining the attention and ultimate respect that Mack never experienced.

Mack Robinson died in March 2000 at age 85, due to complications from diabetes, kidney failure and pneumonia. Before his death, he had become a civic leader in Pasadena, Calif, advocating for the rights of underprivileged youth and fighting against street crime. He was also instrumental in getting a statue of his brother Jackie erected at the UCLA baseball stadium, now known as Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Mack Robinson was a pretty important guy, too.

2. Did you know (Part 312)

That the Japanese word ‘Kuchi zamishi’ is the act of eating when you’re not hungry because your mouth is lonely. Know the feeling.

That the last letter added to the English alphabet was “J”. The letter dates to 1524, and before that the letter “i” was used for both the “i” and “j” sounds.

That allodoxaphobia is the fear of other people’s opinions.

That chainsaws were first invented for childbirth. They were developed in Scotland in the late 18th century to help aid and speed up the process of symphysiotomy (widening the pubic cartilage), and the removal of disease-laden bone during childbirth. Wait … what …?

That Walmart now has caramel apple empanadas in its deli department.

3. This sounds rather interesting for all potato chip lovers.

Lay’s has four new flavors coming to stores at some point in April — Valentina and Lime, Korean-Style Fried Chicken, Bacon Grilled Cheese and Thai Style Red Curry.

These will be, as we say in the snack biz, LTOs — limited time offers.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Remembers the Alou brothers — Felipe, Matty and Jesus — who played MLB in the late 1960s and early 1970s? I hear they had a fourth brother few ever talked about. His name was Boog. Yes, Felipe, Matty, Jesus and Boog Alou.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Did Boog Powell get adopted by the Alou family?