'Jeopardy' Contestant Confuses Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson in Question About Breaking MLB Color Barrier

The gaffe occurred on Jackie Robinson day no less.

jeopardy
Getty

Image via Getty/Amanda Edwards

jeopardy

Wednesday was Jackie Robinson Day, a day meant to commemorate the life and times of one of the most iconic and boundary-breaking athletes of all time. That same day, a Jeopardy contestant confused Babe Ruth for Robinson, when answering a question about which famous baseball player broke the color barrier. In the Jeopardy College Tournament episode, University of Southern California student Xiaoke Ying answered Ruth instead of Robinson.

The major mix-up didn't deter Ying though, as she went on to win and advance to the finals. That still didn't stop people from sounding off on her pretty epic fail.

In 1947, Robinson became the first African American player to play in the majors. And while Ruth certainly wasn't the one to break the color barrier, he was semi-progressive during his time as a player in the 1930's, playing against black players when others wouldn't.

Latest in Sports