Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier on April 15, 1947, for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He went 0-for-3, but scored the deciding run in a 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves in Brooklyn.
His No. 42 was retired throughout the major leagues in 1997 by then-Commissioner Bud Selig. Since 2009, all players, managers, coaches have worn his No. 42 to mark the day. But not Wednesday, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This will be the third-straight year the Braves won’t don Robinson’s number in a game on April 15. Last year, Atlanta had an off day. The season before, the Braves marked Jackie Robinson Day almost a month late.
The league’s tribute to the grandson of slaves, born Jan. 31, 1919, in Cairo, Ga., however, will be a virtual one.
The MLB Network will air Robinson-related programs from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. followed by Ken Burns’ two-part documentary on Robinson. MLB.com plans Jackie Robinson-related programming, starting at 7 a.m.
The 1955 World Series film of the Dodgers’ only World Series title while in Brooklyn will stream starting at 7 p.m. on MLB’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Robinson played 10 seasons in the major leagues. He was named the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1949 and was named the N.L.’s Most Valuable Player in 1949. He was a six-time All-Star and played in five World Series. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility. His No. 42 was retired during a ceremony at New York’s Shea Stadium on the 50th anniversary of his major league debut.
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