Why 42 With Jabez Sampson

MONTGOMERY,Ala.- On April 15th, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the barriers of racial segregation within professional baseball, becoming the first African American to play in the MLB. Robinson's step in tearing down the walls of racism that existed within professional sports has inspired young athletes for generations, including our very own Jabez Sampson.

Sampson began playing baseball at three years old and has been in love with the game ever since. When asked about the importance of baseball in his life, Jabez stated that "Baseball to me is like having a second family. I get to spend every day with them growing and learning not just as a ball player, but as a man, teammate, and brother."

"Jackie Robinson has inspired me by being able to overcome adversity in any situation, on or off the field, and being able to blaze a path for people of color to play the beautiful game of baseball", shared Sampson, who wears #42 for the Hawks in the outfield."I am wearing 42 this year in rememberance and honor of what he(Robinson) has done for the game of baseball and more specifically, people of color in baseball."

This season, the Hazel Green, Alabama native has played in 21 games for the Hawks, starting in nearly all of them. He holds a .254 batting average with 11 RBI's and 7 stolen bases.

Jabez and the Hawks return to Neal Posey Field tomorrow, April 16th, to take on Birmingham Southern College. Gametime is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT.