On Friday, April 15 every year, teams celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, honoring the player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball and made a great and positive impact on the league. April 15, 1947 is when Robinson made his MLB debut and the league remembers his contributions by having all players, managers and umpires wear No. 42 on that day each year.
The first ever Jackie Robinson Day was took place on April 15, 2004. His number is retired across baseball and was first retired on the 50th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color bar. Then commissioner Bud Selig retired No. 42 across all teams.
This year, players and teams across MLB, as well as other leagues, took time on social media to reflect on how Robinson advanced baseball and made a societal impact as well.
Here are some tweets from players and teams:
Major League Baseball Players Association shared a message: "Players unions join today to honor Jackie Robinson, multi-sport athlete, trailblazer & American icon. In the effort to perpetuate Jackie's legacy and bring about real change, we recommit ourselves to the quest for equality he so courageously pursued."
Players unions join today to honor Jackie Robinson, multi-sport athlete, trailblazer & American icon. In the effort to perpetuate Jackie's legacy and bring about real change, we recommit ourselves to the quest for equality he so courageously pursued. #JackieRobinsonDay #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/x2WjoraXwy
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) April 15, 2022
A look back on the history of wearing No. 42.
The Kid asked if he could wear number 42 to honor Jackie Robinson.
— MLB (@MLB) April 12, 2022
He turned out to be the first of many. pic.twitter.com/YJnw4I3mmv
A look at Jackie Robinson Way:
An up-close look at Jackie Robinson Way. #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/ZR70gvrKec
— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2022
New York Mets Robinson Canó and Francisco Lindor are wearing gear that honors No. 42.
Robinson Canó and Francisco Lindor's gear for today. #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/LI6TUYBPX0
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 15, 2022
Several MLB players will donate their April 15 game-day salaries to support the Players Alliance, which works to promote Black participation at every level of organized baseball and promote a more diverse future for the sport. Lorenzo Cain, Jason Heyward, Aaron Hicks, Mike Moustakas and David Price are among the players who will be committing their full or partial Friday salaries toward the cause.
The Players Alliance announces that several MLB players_including Lorenzo Cain, Jason Heyward, Aaron Hicks, Mike Moustakas and David Price_ will donate their salary from Friday's games on Jackie Robinson Day to invest in struggling inner city and rural baseball teams.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 14, 2022
The Cleveland Guardians honor two "pioneer" players.
Tonight, we honor 1️⃣4️⃣, alongside 4️⃣2️⃣, and give a well-deserved salute to two of the game's pioneers.
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 15, 2022
In 1947, just three months after Jackie Robinson made his debut, Larry Doby became the first African American to play in the American League.
The rest is history.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/fO2meLdCSB
Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman has a tattoo of Robinson.
Marcus Stroman gets the start on Jackie Robinson Day. Here’s a picture of Stroman’s tattoo honoring Jackie Robinson.
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