MLB: A brief history of Jackie Robinson Day in baseball

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 25: Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey talk happily after a contract signing meeting in the offices of the Brooklyn Dodgers in Ebbets Field on January 25, 1950 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Julio Urias #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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.

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