Braves plan big tribute

Major League Baseball is coming to the home of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to pay tribute to those whose life’s work embodies the spirit of the Civil Rights movement.

Before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, or black and white Americans fought side by side in the armed forces, Jackie Robinson dared to desegregate the country’s favorite pastime.

For their efforts, baseball will honor Academy-award winner Morgan Freeman, Hall of Famer Ernie Banks and Grammy Award-winning artist Carlos Santana during its annual Civil Rights weekend in Atlanta.

“Baseball has played a unique role in advancing the civil rights struggle in that Jackie Robinson breaking the baseball color line in 1947 challenged and changed the American climate,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who will participate in this weekend’s events. “It’s hard to imagine how many children were named after Jackie Robinson. In every barber shop, every beauty shop, every church … he was a cultural frame of reference.

“He was a celebrity who opened up closed doors, and his role had a tremendous impact on our culture. This game is within that tradition.”

Selig, McCourt meet

With the Los Angeles Dodgers in danger of running out of cash in less than three weeks, baseball Commissioner Bud Selig wouldn’t set a timetable for approving a $3 billion television deal that would enable owner Frank McCourt to make payroll at the end of the month.

Selig gave McCourt the face-to-face meeting the Dodgers owner wanted but hasn’t loosened baseball’s grip on the storied franchise, hampered by the divorce of Frank and Jamie McCourt.

Selig installed former Texas Rangers President Tom Schieffer as the Dodgers’ monitor on April 25 and told the Dodgers that Schieffer must approve any expense of $5,000 or more.

Baseball officials believe the Dodgers don’t have enough cash to make their end-of-May payroll, which runs about $8.25 million. McCourt has said the Dodgers’ television deal with Fox would give the club about $300 million up front.

Hug was just a hug

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry brushed off the hubbub over a hug with Cardinals’ star Albert Pujols before Tuesday night’s series opener.

Pujols, the Cardinals’ superstar first baseman, could be a prized free agent after the season. Hendry said the greeting had nothing to do with business and the two discussed their families.