Jackie Robinson Day 2011
April 15, 2011 | Sports
All the players and coaches in major league baseball wore the number 42 today to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day. It was just 64 years ago that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier into baseball. He played for 10 years with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Won NL MVP in 1949, Rookie of the Year in 1947 and played on six All-Star teams. His number 42 is the only number that has ever been retired league wide never to be worn again by a player.
Before joining the Dodgers, Robinson first played in The Negro Leagues with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1945 and then in the International League with the Montreal Royals. In 1955 he helped the Dodgers to win the World Series over the New York Yankees.
Special ceremonies will be held at different ballparks around the league. For more information about the celebration and the many player current and retired that paid special tribute, with videos expressing what Robinson means to them and the game can be found at a new web site IAM42.com.
Jackie Robinson retired in 1956 and passed away in 1972 at the age of 53.
This article was written by: Steve Kramer
