Derrick Robinson Stars on Jackie Robinson Day

Arms raised, Cincinnati Reds Derrick Robinson signals to runner shortstop Zack Cozart after scoring the go-ahead run in a victory over Philadelphia on Jackie Robinson Day as all players wore No. 42. Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

CINCINNATI–About three hours before the Cincinnati Reds-Philadelphia Phillies game at Great American Ball Park on Jackie Robinson Day throughout Major League Baseball, Reds rookie outfielder Derrick Robinson sat at his locker very pleased about the idea of wearing a jersey with No. 42 on it.

Monday, April 15, 2013, 66 years to the day after Jackie Robinson broke the Major League color barrier by suiting up for the Brooklyn Dodgers evgeryone playing wore 42. Much has changed in American society and the No. 42 is not only retired by the Dodgers, but by all teams. Except for one day a season. Derrick Robinson, who is African-American and normally wears 15, had not yet seen his home white Reds 42 jersey, but he was already talking about keeping it.

“It means a lot,” Derrick Robinson said of Jackie Robinson Day. “He did a lot for African-Americans. I’ve heard about the good things he did. It’s an honor to wear the jersey.”

Derrick Robinson grew up in Gainesville, Florida and he learned about Jackie Robinson at a young age, probably Little League age, from his dad.

“My father was a big in baseball and he let me know that African-Americans had opportunities because of this guy,” Derrick Robinson said. “I’ve been asked if I am related to Jackie Robinson. I take that as a compliment.”

Jackie Robinson, who was a Hall of Fame player once he got the chance to show the National League that he–and other black players–belonged, died in 1972. He has grown into an iconic figure of the game, both because of what he symbolized in terms of equal opportunity and because of the courage he demonstrated as a pioneer.

Reds manager Dusty Baker, one of a small number of African-American managers in the big leagues, has been around the majors since 1968, but never met Jackie Robinson. However, when he was with the Dodgers the team played an exhibition game against UCLA, Robinson’s alma mater, on the day the school dedicated its field to him. Baker met Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s widow, Sharon Robinson, his daughter, and Mack Robinson, Jackie’s famous track star brother.

“I’ve got a Jackie Robinson wall at my house,” Baker said. “My son (14-year-old Darren) wants to go to UCLA and play second base.”

Reds left-fielder Chris Heisey was almost enthusiastic about wearing the Robinson 42 as any of the African-American players. At 28, the Robinson 1947 era is ancient history to him. He grew up playing baseball with black kids and said everyone just played.

“It is hard for me to understand it,” Heisey said of a time period in America’s past where racial tensions were so intense that whites and blacks appearing on the same field created turmoil. “We would never have dreamed of treating anyone on the field any differently.

Several things were different on the field Monday. The number 42 was stencilled on the back of the mound in yellow. A trailer for the new movie “42” about Jackie Robinson, was shown on the video board. On the roster and blank box score distributed in the press box every player’s number was 42.

The game was a pitcher’s duel between Cincinnati’s Bronson Arroyo and Philadelphia’s Cliff Lee. The score was 2-2 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Baker pinch-hit Derrick Robinson for Arroyo and Robinson reached first on a 50-foot single off reliever Jeremy Horst.

“I went up to get on base,” Robinson said. “I was going to bunt on the first pitch, but it ended up being a little swinging bunt. It worked out perfectly.”

Robinson triggered a two-run inning that included a sacrifice by Shin-Soo-Choo, a double by Zack Cozart, an intentional walk to Joey Votto, and then a single by second baseman Brandon Phillips. Earlier in the game Phillips made a diving stop on Phillies veteran Jimmy Rollins–both are African-American–and Phillips said Rollins teased him. “How are you gonna rob me on Jackie Robinson day?” As if he would have let the ball go any other day, Phillipes joked.

When Robinson crossed the plate he represented the go-ahead run, which became the winning run, and with Cozart following the score became 4-2. Yes, 4-2 on 42 day.

“That’s kind of funny,” Phillips said of Robinson getting the winning run. “We were talking about it in the dugout. It’s a beautiful thing.”

If anyone thought Hollywood went too Hollywood on 42, let them try to digest this real-life development. An African-American baseball player named Robinson wearing 42 on his back scored the winning run for his team on Jackie Robinson Day and helped create a final score of 4-2.

There was one minor problem, however. The team collected all of the 42 jerseys, to be set aside for next year. Derrick Robinson quietly asked if he could keep his. A few minutes later a member of the clubhouse staff handed him the folded-over jersey at his locker.

“I’m going to mail this back home to my parents in Florida,” Robinson said. “I think I’m going to have it framed.”

The smiling Robinson was almost the only one left in the clubhouse. He fingered the jersey and stuffed it into a carry bag, then zipped it closed.