Listen: Laurence Holmes On The Jackie Robinson West Controversy
(CBS) There's no shortage of opinions regarding the Jackie Robinson West controversy that's resulted in a squad of Little Leaguers from the south side of Chicago having its national championship stripped after it was discovered the team violated boundary line rules.
One person with a personal connection to the situation is 670 The Score host Laurence Holmes, who grew up on the south side of Chicago and played in the Jackie Robinson West Little League. Holmes has continued to support the league, both personally and financially, and he had an emotional reaction to the news that took away a championship from the kids.
"I was enamored with the story of Jackie Robinson," Holmes said.
"Wearing that uniform, wearing Jackie Robinson's name on my chest meant something to me, and it still means something to me. Considering the rise that these kids had to a national championship and playing for a world title and getting a letter from Jackie's widow, I imagine in the future that will mean something to them."
Holmes chastised the adults who perpetrated the cheating, saying they "failed" the kids and that their actions were "despicable," including Wednesday at a news conference that included Rev. Jesse Jackson.
"It breaks my heart what we've seen," Holmes said.
Now, Holmes can't help but think of the kids. He hopes they'll continue to cherish the memories they made, rather than focus on the mess that followed.
"It doesn't make anything that happened less true," Holmes said.
Holmes thought the best part was how JRW appealed to all of Chicago.
"No matter what your background is, you were able to embrace this team," Holmes said. "It's one of the things I absolutely adore about this story. You had people from the northern suburbs saying, 'This is my team. I love watching these kids and how they go about their business. The way they play, the respect they have for their opponents ... the joy they play with.'
"That's why this is really difficult for me."
