MLB: A brief history of Jackie Robinson Day in baseball
April 15 is upon us and that means it is one of the most sacred days on the baseball calendar: Jackie Robinson Day.
Some people, however, may not know any of the history of the event or all of the history of it, With that in mind, here is a brief history to why everyone that takes a baseball field in MLB or MiLB will be wearing #42.
Who was Jackie Robinson?
Jackie Robinson was the first African American baseball player to ever play for an MLB team. Before 1947, no African American had ever played in the Major Leagues as they just played in the “Negro Leagues,” which was comprised of numerous teams throughout North America that had African American or Latin players on them.
Jackie Robinson played on the Kansas City Monarchs (a Negro Leagues team) in 1945 and after the 1945 season, he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers). In 1946, he played in Triple-A for the Dodgers with the Montreal Royals in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Before the 1947 season, Robinson was called up to the major leagues, becoming the first African American player to ever play in MLB.
He made his debut with the Dodgers at the age of 28 and played through the 1956 season.
In his 10 years with the Dodgers, Robinson was a six-time All-Star. Among many accolades, he won the 1947 NL Rookie of the Year Award, the 1949 NL batting title, the 1955 World Series with the Dodgers, the 1949 NL MVP Award, and he also finished in the top 10 in NL MVP voting three more times.
With the Negro Leagues being recognized as an MLB league in 2021, Robinson now has 11 seasons played in MLB (instead of 10) and seven All-Star appearances (and not six).
Why is Jackie Robinson Day celebrated on April 15?
April 15, 1947, was the date that Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
What is the significance of #42 in professional baseball?
On the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson making his debut in 1997, President Bill Clinton and then-MLB Commissioner Bud Selig held a ceremony at Shea Stadium (the then-home of the New York Mets) and retired #42 throughout all of professional baseball in honor of Robinson.
Robinson passed away due to a heart attack (as well as complications with diabetes and heart disease) at the age of 53 in October 1972. However, Robinson’s widow, Rachel, was able to be in attendance for the ceremony as were some of Robinson’s children.
Rachel Robinson is still alive as of this publication and she is 99 years old (she will turn 100 years old on July 19, 2022).
MLB players that wore #42 were grandfathered in on wearing the number. The last player to ever wear #42 on a daily basis was Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera, who retired from playing baseball with the New York Yankees after the 2013 season.
However, Jackie Robinson Day was not celebrated right away.
When did Jackie Robinson Day start?
Jackie Robinson’s #42 was retired throughout all of professional baseball for everybody (players, coaches, umpires, etc.) in 1997 but celebrating his #42 did not happen until 2004.
Initially, not all players wore #42, though. Originally, it was just the bases and baseballs had a #42 printed on them with some pre-game ceremonies at each stadium honoring Robinson.
Only 13 MLB games were played that day so not all teams celebrated the event but MLB Commissioner Bud Selig made it a permanent event for the 2005 season and all MLB teams will play on the date.
Then, in 2007, future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr. (who is African American) sought out permission to wear #42 on the day from Rachel Robinson and Bud Selig and both granted the request a few weeks before April 15 came. Selig also encouraged other MLB players to wear the number as well on April 15.
Eventually, by the time April 15 came around, five entire teams wore #42 (including the Los Angeles Dodgers) and some other players, coaches, and umpires throughout the league wore it, for a total of more than 150 people.
That did not go over well with some African American players, including All-Stars Torii Hunter and C.C. Sabathia, who both thought that too many people were wearing the number and that only a select few should wear it.
More personnel wore the number in 2008 but in 2009, every player, coach, and umpire has worn the number 42 on April 15 (or, if games were postponed on that date due to weather, on the makeup day of the game).
The links between Jackie Robinson and Clayton Kershaw. dark. Next
That has been the case since then. Friday will be the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson making his MLB debut and it will be celebrated throughout all of professional baseball and for it, MLB Network will be airing a featured special called “Remembering Jackie,” hosted by Harold Reynolds, with interviews with former President Bill Clinton, Bud Selig, and many others.
Other festivities will be celebrated throughout the United States as well.