Fox Sports Presents ‘Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag’ a Fresh Perspective Documentary
Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag from Fox Sports is a film that blends the lyrical narrative of Brooklyn-based rapper Skyzoo and the voices of multiple generations to tell the Jackie Robinson story in a unique presentation that aims to reintroduce the Hall of Famer’s success in and beyond baseball to a younger generation in an effort to get more black youth to play the sport; a really hot topic as of late. The film premiered on October 12 on FS1.
The players
Executive produced by two-time MLB World Series Champion Mookie Betts, Co-Produced by Propagate and MLB, and directed by Victorious De Costa (Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn), with narration by Hip Hop stalwart Skyzoo, this collective delivered perhaps the most important and relevant story on Robinson I’ve seen. Throughout the documentary, Skyzoo also presents rap commentary from Jackie Robinson’s perspective. He deftly interweaves Robinson’s ability to remain calm in the face of frustration and persecution while at the same time, delivering lyrical missiles that eviscerated opponents when he weighed in on the injustices and racism faced by Black and Brown people.
The Mission
This revealing documentary delivers a key look at some of the most uncovered parts of the Jackie Robinson story by discussing the legend’s impact on the business, financial and real property sectors of America. From his ground-breaking position as Vice President of the national brand, Chock Full o’Nuts to his role as co-founder of Freedom National Bank in Harlem, and a construction company, “JACKIE ROBINSON: GET TO THE BAG” offers a full-bodied look at the oft-uncelebrated multi-level heroism of Jackie Robinson.
It makes me smile now when I think of the term “Buy back the block”…it’s an area of activism ignited by Robinson in the early 60s and the concept is being put into play around the nation today by a younger generation waking up to the concept of generational wealth and housing security.
Impact
I could undoubtedly write/type about this documentary until my fingers bled, there’s just so much to cover and this piece of work excites me to no end as a fan of baseball, a black man born in the 60s and father to children who question me about WHY I talk about some of the things I do. This documentary is MORE than a well-deserved discussion of the leader and cultural anchor that was Jackie Robinson, it’s a masterful exposé of the type of “less talk more action” leaders our community produced during an era of when change or destruction of our ability to effect change were THE issues of the day.
Victorious De Costa - Letia Solomon
Skyzoo - Robert Adam Mayer
I got a chance to catch up with Director Victorious De Costa and Skyzoo for a conversation on the documentary and co-exec producer Omar Bradford also popped on for a brief moment. Hearing from these minds on their take regarding the timeliness of this film, the fulfillment of the overall mission of the creators, and the top takeaways from the film were priceless.
Fun fact
Skyzoo grew up in the Ebbets Field Apartments which were built on the exact location of the Brooklyn Dodgers stadium by the same name. It was on this hallowed ground of baseball history that Jackie Robinson shattered the color barrier of Major League Baseball and started down the path which would make him an icon not only on the field but in the annals of American history…undoubtedly, the spirit of Robinson connected with Skyzoo as he wrote and delivered the impactful rap commentaries of the film. Tune in to the conversation below!
JACKIE ROBINSON: GET TO THE BAG is produced by Betts’ media company, One Media/Marketing Group (OMG), along with Propagate (“Untold”, “Hillary”, “LFG”). The film’s executive producers are Betts, Cam Lewis, Jeff Mason, and Omar Bradford of OMG, and Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, and Drew Buckley of Propagate. Jack Katkavich serves as co-executive producer. The documentary is an extension of the collaboration between Betts’ OMG and Propagate following their production deal announced earlier this year and is the first project to greenlight.
1957- Jackie Robinson retires (Jacob Harris: Associated Press)
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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