I am a fan of human endeavor and striving, the overcoming of the seemingly insurmountable and the pursuit of perfection, all in the face of chaos and despair. Life is made richer through the efforts we humans make to create meaning. And any kids' game, especially when played at a high level, has all of that and more.

And so, I am a fan of sport. And more, a fan of what sport can tell us about ourselves. I welcome this suggestion by ESPN to keep Jackie Robinson's number on the field.

[A]s the pitchers and the catchers, and soon all the rest, begin reporting to training camp, only Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera will be wearing Robinson's immortal No. 42. In a thoughtful and meaningful gesture seven years ago to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier, Major League Baseball retired his number throughout each league. Once Rivera retires, it will be gone.

How unfortunate.

Soon his number, and perhaps his memory, will become merely another symbol lost in the signage that proliferates in baseball stadiums. Soon, we fear, the significance of his accomplishments will become only another chapter in the history books.

We propose that baseball keep alive the legacy of Jackie Robinson with a living memorial, that rather than retire Robinson's number, it instead put No. 42 back on the field.

A living tribute. One player. Each season. One No. 42.