The true meaning of Jackie Robinson (who would turn 94 today) is often forgotten.

I, like many others, have grown up in a sports world where it has not mattered what the color of a player’s skin was, only his talent. It matters not whether the player is Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Polynesian, or a mix of the above. All that matter is simply whether they can play. This is not just true in baseball, but in other sports as well. It is a meritocracy: If you are good, you are good, and if you stink, then you stink.

While there are, of course, still some cowards out there who continue to throw out racial epithets from the safety of anonymous accounts on the internet, they are just that- cowards. They know that what they are trying to peddle no longer is welcome in the American fan-scape.

And, although it is something of an exaggeration to say this, Jackie Robinson can be thanked for this. As not only did he show that talent knew no race, but he also showed dignity and courage doing it. He defeated those who hated and heckled him by simply ignoring them, not by giving in and returning their hatred.

A good example for any and all who have faced bullies. And something that has led to a better country, both on the field and off.

Happy Birthday, Jackie Robinson.