On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson made his debut as a Brooklyn Dodger and broke the color barrier, becoming the first African-American to play major league baseball. This past Sunday marked the 60th anniversary of that day, and baseball’s alum, current players, and fans alike around the world celebrated and honored Robinson, who truly was a hero on and off the playing field.
Ken Griffey Jr., outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds and an icon himself, is credited with calling Commissioner Bud Selig with the idea of teams wearing Robinson’s “sacred” number 42, which was retired on his anniversary in 1997, in recognition of his accomplishments. Selig quickly supported the idea, and urged players throughout the MLB to do the same.
Currently Mariano Rivera, pitcher for the New York Yankees, is the only active player to still wear the number. He was wearing it when it was retired in ’97, and thanks to a grandfather clause, he and eight other players at the time were allowed to keep it as an honor to Robinson. As the only player still wearing his number, Rivera describes it as an honor, and feels blessed to continue wearing the number 42.
“You’re not just talking about any player, or any person,” Rivera told MLB.com. “The respect that he had for the game, the passion that he had for the game, how he played the game—we should respect that and tribute that.”
On Sunday though, despite six games being rained out due to inclement weather all over the eastern United States, the number 42 jersey was worn by a wide variety of players and coaches throughout the league including stars such as Griffey Jr., Andruw Jones, C.C. Sabathia, Dontrelle Willis, Torii Hunter, Barry Bonds, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano (named after Jackie), Willie Randolph, Joe Torre, and even entire ball clubs such as the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers.
While a select few, including the above-mentioned Hunter and Sabathia, were slightly critical and vocal this past week about too many 42s being worn, feeling that it might water down the tribute to Robinson, others felt differently.
“We’ll see at the end of the day, but I don’t think so,” said Griffey. “It’s going to be a great experience for everybody. I think a lot of people wouldn’t be in this locker room if it wasn’t for what he did. I think it’s going to be fine. I’m not worried about it. I think people will embrace it.”
Day games certainly had their highlights and memorable celebrations, but the main event of the night took place in Los Angeles where Jackie’s Dodgers took on the San Diego Padres.
Pre-game festivities kicked off with the Brookinaires Gospel Choir singing “Oh Happy Day,” followed by a video tribute in which Joe Morgan and Hank Aaron, among others, participated. Next was the presentation of the Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award to Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s wife, for her creation of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which assists increasing numbers of minority youths through the granting of four-year scholarships for higher education. Aaron and Frank Robinson threw out the ceremonial first pitches, and actress/singer Jennifer Hudson sang the Star Spangled Banner. As a fitting end to the anniversary celebration, the Dodgers won by a score of 9-3, but Jackie Robinson Day was marked by much more than a victory from his former ball club, but rather by a full day of remembering the great man.
“It’s bigger than just a number,” said Marlins pitcher Willis, who wore 42 for Sunday’s game against the Braves. “This is American history. I might be going out on a limb, but I see so much emphasis on it the last couple of weeks about Jackie Robinson ... He opened the doors for everybody in baseball. If it weren’t for him, there wouldn’t be a lot of the great storylines you see in baseball today. I hope they continue to have that intensity to remember Jackie Robinson at all times.”
Willis’ statement was undoubtedly true. Though Jackie Robinson Day only came to existence in 2004, it seems as if this year the anticipation and celebration of the event was heightened and even taken to a new level, as it should be. Robinson, who was the Rookie of the Year in 1947, the National League’s Most Valuable Player two years later, a six time All-Star, and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, certainly left his impact on the field.
However, off the field he was just as much of a hero. Robinson was in the United States Army from 1942-1944, an activist in the Civil Rights Movement, a supporter of Martin Luther King Jr., a winner of the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a role model for all.
Yankee shortstop Jeter summed up the day’s events quite nicely. “I’ve never worn another number, obviously, but there have been times when you’ve had things on you that have meant a lot,” Jeter said. “We’ve had tributes to players who have passed away and things like that, but this day is definitely memorable. It’s something that means a lot, and it’s special.”
So on this day, and every day, thank you Jackie Robinson for the man that you were and for the courage you demonstrated. Your name will live on and will never be forgotten in the world of baseball.
