Dodgers, MLB have a good time Jackie Robinson Day

Main League Baseball is celebrating the 77th anniversary of the day that Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s shade barrier when he grew to become the primary Black man to take the sector for any group within the league on April 15, 1947. 

Robinson performed his whole main league profession with the Dodgers after they have been positioned in Brooklyn. As such, the present group and their opponent on Monday, the Washington Nationals, will collect on the statue honoring Robinson in Dodger Stadium’s Centerfield Plaza. 

They are going to be joined by Robinson’s granddaughter, Ayo Robinson, civil rights activist Harry Edwards and Jackie Robinson Basis students at what the Dodgers name a “group reflection.”

The Jackie Robinson Basis was based in 1973 by his spouse Rachel Robinson, the yr after he died on the age of 53. They supply four-year school scholarships to college students of colours who’ve been at an obstacle throughout their younger lives. 

Dodgers gamers and coaches have gathered on the statue yearly since 2021 to take heed to supervisor Dave Roberts speak about Robinson and his lasting legacy. Final season was the primary that they have been joined by their opponent, which got here by request from the Chicago Cubs. 

Present Dodger Jason Heyward spoke on the gathering final season, his first yr with the Boys in Blue. 

“I simply can by no means cease imagining what Jackie needed to go each day when he had it constantly thrown in his face that he was totally different,” he stated. “He made no excuses and needed to get this mission executed.”

The Dodgers will play a video venture titled “Pricey Rachel,” previous to the beginning of recreation time throughout a pregame ceremony honoring Robinson. The video will present quite a lot of recordings from influential individuals throughout sports activities, politics, leisure and the Dodgers group as they relay the influence that he had on their lives. 

Throughout MLB, gamers and coaches will sport the No. 42 to Robinson, a practice relationship again to 2009. The quantity, no matter group, is Dodger blue. Moreover, groups will put on caps that had a “42” patch on the facet. 

Main League Baseball retired Robinson’s quantity in 1997 throughout the league on the fiftieth anniversary of his debut. It stays the one quantity that has been retired throughout the complete league. 

Robinson was born in Georgia however raised in Pasadena the place he attended Muir Excessive College earlier than heading on to Pasadena Metropolis School and UCLA. He was identified for his prowess at almost each sport, together with basketball, soccer and monitor and discipline. 

He served in the USA Military for 2 years throughout World Battle II earlier than he was honorably discharged. 

His lasting legacy continues to influence generations of baseball followers and activists alike. His story has develop into a typical foundation for recreation, most lately in 2013 when he was portrayed by Chadwick Boseman within the acclaimed movie “42.”