clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Baseball Celebrates Jackie Robinson Day

Friday is Major League Baseball's Jackie Robinson Day, and teams throughout baseball will celebrate the 64th anniversary of the game in which Robinson broke baseball's color barrier. On Friday, all players will wear No. 42, which was Robinson's number with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In addition, Major League Baseball has an IAM42 online campaign to commemorate the day. The campaign features videotaped tributes by lots of current players (you can click their pictures - it's pretty cool), including Pirates starting pitcher James McDonald:

↵
↵

Having number 42 on my back is like an honor that you can't really explain. He's a pioneer for not only African-Americans, but all of the races that play the game. It's such an honor to be able to represent that ... it's an extreme privilege.

↵
↵

There will also be a special celebration for Jackie Robinson Day on Friday before the 7:05 PM game at Yankee Stadium and will feature members of Robinson's family. There will also be celebrations at every ballpark hosting games on Friday.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.