Jackie Robinson Day

in 1962, remembered for his services with the number 42 jersey.

The gala is often celebrated at varied ballparks by Major League team players. Shea Stadium is one of the prominent venues hosting the event, having commemorated the retirement of Robinson's number 42 jersey in 2007. The numbered jersey is still worn to mark the event every year. Bob DuPuy described Jackie Robinson Day as a significance "not only for baseball, but for the USA in general."

History

2004

The first Jackie Robinson Day was on April 15, 2004.cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/jackie_robinson_day.shtml|title=Jackie Robinson Day|publisher=Baseball-Almanac.com|accessdate=2008-10-07] That day was a start to an annual tradition throughout Major League Baseball and an inspirational reminder about what happened on that day exactly fifty-seven years earlier when Jackie Robinson became a Major League Baseball player. The day would be the first official league-wide Jackie Robinson Day, having festivities taking place at all 13 ballparks where Major League games were scheduled to be played. It began that Thursday morning with Sharon Robinson, ringing the ceremonial Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20040415&content_id=717548&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null|title=Ringing in Jackie Robinson Day|publisher=mlb.com|accessdate=2008-10-07] Rachel Robinson (Jackie Robinson's wife), officials from the Major League Baseball foundation, and officials of the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) took part in the special ceremony honoring Jackie Robinson.

2005

April 15, 2005, was the 58th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig officially declared that April 15 was Jackie Robinson's day and it would be celebrated each year throughout Major League Baseball.cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050416&content_id=1017349&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Robinson honored throughout Majors|publisher=mlb.com|accessdate=2008-10-06] Every ballpark in Major League Baseball in the United States celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, unlike in 2004 when it was only celebrated in 13 ballparks. Each ballpark showed a video tribute to Robinson, and many brought out Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars onto the field before the games. In Cincinnati, Ohio, Ken Griffey Jr. spoke of how much every African-American baseball player owes Robinson, who was chosen by manager Branch Rickey to break the color line because of Robinson's inner courage and ability to keep his temper in check.

2006

April 15, 2006 was the 59th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. Rachel Robinson attended the ceremony, having former Negro Leagues players Robert Scott and Armando Vazquez also attending the ceremony.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2409964|title=Jackie Robinson Day celebrated throughout majors|publisher=ESPN.com|accessdate=2008-10-07] His widow was honored and celebrated at Shea Stadium. After a video tribute on the scorebaord of Shea Stadium of Jackie Robinson, Rachel Robinson walked to the pitcher's mound before the New York Mets hosted the Milwaukee Brewers, along with Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, and New York Mets manager Willie Randolph. "I've got a picture of Jackie in my office, so I think about that every day," Randolph said. "I'm just happy to be a part of this day." A large blue, gray and white circle with "42" on it was put over home plate representing the colors of Jackie Robinson's uniform with the Dodgers as a major leaguer.

2007

April 15, 2007, was the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. Players were invited to wear the number 42 just for that day to commemorate Robinson. During the 2007 regular season, Ken Griffey, Jr. called Bud Selig to ask for permission to wear number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day. Number 42 had been retired for every Major League Baseball team. This meant that no future Major League Baseball player could wear it. The number was retired in a ceremony which took place in 1997 at Shea Stadium to mark the 50th anniversary of Robinson's first game with the Dodgers. [cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/16/sports/JACKIE.php |title=Baseball remembers Jackie Robinson - International Herald Tribune |publisher=Iht.com |author= |date= |accessdate=2008-09-01] Selig embraced the gesture and encouraged other Major League Baseball clubs to have a player wear number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day as well.cite news|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070404&content_id=1879309&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Griffey, Jr., others to wear No. 42 as part of Jackie Robinson Day Tribute|publisher=MLB|date=2007-04-05|accessdate=2007-04-07] More than 200 players wore number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson's retired number, including the entire team rosters of the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. [cite news
url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/13/sports/baseball/13jackie.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&oref=slogin
title= A Measure of Respect for Jackie Robinson Turns Into a Movement
publisher="The New York Times"|date=2007-04-13
accessdate=2007-04-15]

2008

April 15, 2007, was the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson's major league debut. It was celebrated that night before the Mets played the Nationals at Shea Stadium.cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080415&content_id=2531842&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Robinson's legacy celebrated at Shea|publisher=mlb.com|accessdate=2008-10-07] When the teams took the field, all players, managers and coaches were swearing number 42, and was repeated at all other 14 ballparks that had scheduled games that day. "The significance of Jackie Robinson Day is not lost on anyone," said Bob DuPuy. "As more and more people realize what April 15 means, not only for baseball, but for our country in general, I think you're going to see the celebration grow annually." All members of the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Tampa Bay Rays teams wore number 42.

References

External links

* [http://www.jackierobinson.com/ Official site of Jackie Robinson]