Major League Baseball honours Jackie Robinson
Major League Baseball (MLB) will celebrate on Wednesday, April 15, Jackie Robinson’s life and legacy with a series of initiatives alongside the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF), MLB Clubs and additional partners as part of the league’s annual Jackie Robinson Day, taking place on the 79th anniversary of his Dodger debut.
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Baseball's colour barrier when he made his historic MLB debut: every April 15, baseball honours Jackie's legacy by celebrating his life, values and accomplishments. The extensive and unified League-wide show of support has included retiring Jackie's number throughout the Majors in 1997; dedicating April 15 as Jackie Robinson Day each year since 2004; and wearing number 42 on the field, a tradition that began with an idea by Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. in 2007, which expanded to all on-field personnel wearing 42 for Jackie Robinson Day games since 2009.
In what has become one of the most significant traditions in baseball, all on-field MLB personnel will wear Jackie’s iconic Number 42 in Dodger Blue on their uniform (regardless of their primary team colours) and royal blue 42 socks from Stance. The teams, along with umpires, will also honour Jackie by wearing New Era Caps with a 42 side patch. In addition, the recognition will include commemorative base jewels, lineup cards and Breaking Barriers batting practice shirts.
MLB is introducing a new campaign titled We Are Jackie, featuring a dedicated spot across MLB Media outlets, including MLB Network, MLB.com, and MLB.TV; MLB broadcast partners including FOX, ESPN and NBC; across MLB-owned social channels and in all ballparks on April 15. Hall of Famer C.C. Sabathia narrates the spot.
Emmy Award-winning MLB Network Analyst Harold Reynolds will interview Los Angeles Angels outfielder and WBSC Premier12 star Jo Adell and pitcher Brent Suter at the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City for a feature on Wednesday’s edition of MLB Tonight: National Pregame Show at 17:00 US East Coast time. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a product of UCLA like Jackie, will also join Wednesday’s National Pregame Show to discuss Robinson’s impact across baseball and beyond.