Long-time friend of Jackie Robinson speaks in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Ron Rabinovitz was in Milwaukee on Sunday, April 28th to share how his friendship with Jackie Robinson changed his life.

Rabinovitz spoke with kids at the set of First Stage's "Jackie and Me."

Rabinovitz grew up in Sheboygan. He became a Jackie Robinson fan thanks to his father. He first met his hero at a Milwaukee Braves/Brooklyn Dodgers game in Milwaukee in 1953.

"Unbeknownst to me he wrote Jackie a letter telling him how much I admired him, but he didn't tell me because he didn't want me disappointed if he didn't write back. Jackie wrote back with an autographed picture: next time the Braves are in Milwaukee he'd love to meet me," Rabinovitz said.

After that, Jackie and Rabinovitz fostered a long friendship and one-on-one relationship.

In 2011, a documentary titled "Letters from Jackie" detailed the private thoughts of Jackie Robinson. The documentary highlighted the friendship between Robinson and Rabinovitz.