MLB Honors Jackie Robinson With Jackie Robinson Day

Photo Credit: goodblacknews.org

Major League Baseball (MLB) honors the historic, and iconic, Jackie Robinson with the annual Jackie Robinson Day. The date, April 15, was chosen due to Robinson’s Opening Day on April 15, 1947. The tradition began in 2004, commemorating Robinson’s immaculate career and courage for becoming the first African American ballplayer, breaking the baseball color line and barrier.

As stated earlier, the iconic Robinson impacted the MLB in what would be the most influential, and prosperous, change in modern baseball. By sporting the number 42, the MLB had retired the number throughout the league in 1997, the 50th anniversary in Robinson’s debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera had been the last active player to formally wear the number 42 on his jersey; Rivera retired with the Yankees at the end of the 2013 season.

The 2015 season marks the 68th anniversary of Robinson’s career. Each year, every player on the MLB rosters are given jerseys with the numbers 42 on them. In addition to players, managers, umpires, and coaches all sport the number 42.

Robinson was not just baseballs’ first African American player, but he was a phenomenal player all-around. Totaling accolades include, six-time All-Star (1949-1954), World Series champion (1955), National League MVP (1947), National League batting champion (1949), two-time National League stolen base champion (1947, 1949), and being inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 1962 (77.5% votes). These accolades were spent throughout his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Robinson’s impact certainly proceeds far beyond MLB statistics. Numerous of recognition from a variety of organizations appeared, a recent film dedicated to the life of Jackie Robinson, known as 42, the United States placing a plaque in Robinson’s home commemorating the end of segregation in baseball, and MLB’s Rookie of the Year award, known as Jackie Robinson Award as of July 1987, all factor in. In addition to Robinson’s on-field accolades, he was also MLB’s first African American television analyst.

In one of Robinson’s most memorable quotes, “I’m not concerned with your liking or disliking me. All I ask is that you respect me as a human being.” The subtle saying provides a descriptive image of what Robinson’s trial had been similar to.

In October of 1972, Robinson passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 53. Robinson had been having complications of diabetes and heart disease prior. In our modern-era perspective, Robinson provided the MLB with the expulsion of segregation and deteriorated the color barrier in baseball. The impact Robinson had influenced the public with has remained with us today as we commemorate Jackie Robinson’s formal major league debut.