Harrison Ford Throws 1st Pitch at Dodgers Stadium

What's up, guys? Leslie Robbins here. Young Hollywood is back at Dodger Stadium. It is Jackie Robinson Day, and the star of the movie 42, honoring that legend Harrison Ford is throwing out the first pitch and we are going one-on-one with him. Harrison Ford, what an honor it is that you get to play Branch Rickey, change the face of Major League Baseball. How did you bring a fresh take to the role and still stay true to the story?

I just wanted to give the character life and try and help, uh, create the behaviors that would create a reality and illuminate the relationship between the two of them and the and what it meant to to Jackie Robinson to have, uh, a guy like that in his court. And what it meant to Branch Rickey to have a a player like Jackie Robinson, a man like Jackie Robinson, working with him to make baseball better. Make America better.

So Tommy, tell me some of your fondest memories of Jackie Robinson.

Well, I was fortunate enough to play with him for a little while. I would have to say he was one of the greatest competitors I've ever played with. And he just wanted to beat you so bad. When he put that uniform on, he was a he was a giant, you know, and uh, and heart. And when he played the game, he played it to the best you can do it.

Well, during batting practice, you pitched to him, I'm sure. How did that go?

Well, you know, throwing batting practice to Jackie was just a thrill in itself. And uh, he was so good to me, you know, I was a young pitcher and he took to me and uh, always was nice to me. That's what I that's the best I can tell you.

So Magic, tell me what Jackie Robinson Day means to you. Second guest: Well, I think that, you know, it means here's a man who was the first African-American to play in MLB, and but it's bigger than that because he's a man who also, uh, I thought open doors for guys like myself to do what I do now. I wouldn't be part of the Dodger Dodger ownership group if it wasn't for Jackie Robinson. So I I don't take that lightly either.

Well, you know, Jackie was a very important person in my life. I I was a Brooklyn Dodger fan when I was a kid, you know, I I rooted for the Dodgers. It was really tough living in Manhattan among Yankee and Giant fans. Led to a few scrapes. But it was a great time.

So, Harrison Ford is throwing out the first pitch. How do you think he's going to do?

I think he'll do okay. He's probably got a good arm. I can't guarantee anything. I'll just have to wait and see myself.

Ladies and gentlemen, Harrison Ford. I mean, I think you probably did most of your own stunts in Indiana Jones, if I'm not mistaken.

I did, uh, I did physical acting. I don't consider, uh, that I do stunts. I do running, jumping, falling down, rolling around, that sort of thing. That's what I do.

I think rolling around, jumping, all of that, I would call you an athlete.

I'm an actor.

How does it feel to be at Dodger Stadium? Everyone actually across the country is wearing this number right now.

I think it's awesome. What's act did for our nation and for young athletes everywhere was, uh, it's hard to describe. It it made such a difference and we got to remember that. So I I'm happy to see that Major League Baseball and the Dodgers embrace that and, uh, make this an important day for professional baseball.