The Foreign Service Journal, March 2021

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2021 59 had had experiences either with violence in the form of protests against corrupt elements in the government turning ugly or with the mistreatment of minorities. I was delighted to find national baseball organizations in both countries that oversee the sport, field a national team, and have a network of schools and clubs across the country. Since baseball is one of America’s best-known pastimes, the national organiza- tions eagerly looked to us to help grow their sport. Though not our primary focus, seeing the sport grow was a nice residual outcome of our efforts. Our primary effort was to share the story of the great Jackie Robinson, who contributed so uniquely to the game of baseball and to America despite extremely challenging circumstances. Jackie Robinson Day in Romania In Romania in 2017, we part- nered with their national baseball association to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, April 15. We chose a Saturday as close to that date as possible and held an exhibi- tion match between the national team of Romania and a pick- up team from the U.S. embassy. Each team donned a specially created jersey bearing Jackie’s iconic 42. Hundreds gathered to watch the event, and the ambassador’s remarks captured the theme we were messaging. Media coverage focused both on the event and the nonviolence messaging. The U.S. embassy and the mayor of Constanta, the town on the Black Sea coast where the event was held, were so pleased with the outcome that it immediately became an annual event. The embassy also decided to make Jackie Robinson the theme of the Independence Day reception, and the embassy yard was turned into “Ebbets Field, April 15, 1947,” complete with score- board, antique cars, baseball decorations and food, a pitching cage and a special guest of honor—Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson and an author and consultant for Major League Baseball. With U.S. Ambassador Hans G. Klemm to his left, Romanian President Klaus Iohannes greets Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson, at the 2017 July Fourth reception at Embassy Bucharest. U.S.EMBASSYBUCHAREST/LUCIANCRUSOVEANU Members of the Romanian National Baseball Team at the 2017 July Fourth reception. U.S.EMBASSYBUCHAREST/LUCIANCRUSOVEANU