On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson made history by breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Today, on the 76th anniversary of this historic moment, baseball players, teams, and legends are paying tribute to Robinson’s legacy (Yahoo Sports). The Texas Rangers provided a unique tribute to Robinson by wearing jerseys with the number 42 and “Dodgers” written across the front, just like Robinson wore when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers (MLB.com).
But why do players wear the number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day? The reason behind this is to honor Robinson’s legacy and the impact he made in baseball and society as a whole (Sporting News). Major League Baseball has also retired Robinson’s number 42 across all teams, making him the only player whose number has been retired across the entire league (Athletics Nation).
Robinson’s story continues to inspire people to this day. In fact, Jackie Robinson’s granddaughter, Tari Robinson-Cox, will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Dodgers game on Jackie Robinson Day (CBS News). It’s also worth noting that Robinson’s hometown of Pasadena, California is paying tribute to him on this day. The Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as other Major League Baseball teams, are acknowledging Robinson’s legacy (Pasadena Now).
Robinson’s contributions to baseball and society have also been recognized by Jordan Brand, which designed player-exclusive cleats in honor of Robinson (Sports Illustrated). It’s clear that Robinson’s impact on baseball and society is still felt to this day, and it’s important to continue to honor and remember his legacy (Yonkers Tribune).
